Vaccines and diagnostics for the ehrlichioses

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns VLPT immunoreactive compositions for  E. chaffeensis  and compositions related thereto, including vaccines, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, and polynucleotides. In particular, epitopes for  E. chaffeensis  VLPT are disclosed.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/812,365, filed Sep. 24, 2010, which is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/030527, filed Jan. 9, 2009, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/020,379, filed Jan. 10, 2008, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This invention was made with Government support under grant R01 AI 071145-01 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns at least the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, pathology, and medicine, including veterinary medicine. In specific aspects, the present invention concerns immunoreactive VLPT compositions in E. chaffeensis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ehrlichia chaffeensis is a tick-transmitted obligately intracellular bacterium that causes human monocytrotropic ehrlichiosis (HME), an emerging life-threatening disease in humans and also causes mild to severe disease in wild and domestic canids. (Paddock and Childs, 2003). The genomes of E. canis and other organisms in the genus, including E. chaffeensis and E. rumiantium, exhibit a high degree of genomic synteny, paralogous protein families, a large proportion of proteins with transmembrane helices and/or signal sequences, and a unique serine-threonine bias associated with potential for O-glycosylation and phosphorylation, and have tandem repeats and ankyrin domains in proteins associated with host-pathogen interactions (Collins et al., 2005; Dunning Hotopp et al., 2006; Frutos et al., 2006; Mavromatis et al., 2006). A small subset of the more than 900 proteins encoded by each of these genomes are recognized by antibody (Doyle et al., 2006; McBride et al., 2003; McBride et al., 2000). Several of the major immunoreactive proteins identified and molecularly characterized are serine-rich glycoproteins that are secreted. Many of these glycoproteins have tandem repeats; however, one has numerous eukaryote-like ankyrin domains (Doyle et al., 2006; McBride et al., 2003; McBride et al., 2000; Nethery et al., 2005; Singu et al., 2005; Yu et al., 2000).

Three immunoreactive proteins with tandem repeats have been identified and molecularly characterized in E. chaffeensis (gp120, gp47, and VLPT) as well as two orthologs in E. canis (gp140 and gp36, respectively). E. chaffeensis gp120 and gp47 are major immunoreactive proteins that are differentially expressed on the surface dense-cored ehrlichiae and are secreted (Doyle et al., 2006; Popov, et al. 2000). Extensive variability in the number and/or sequence of tandem repeats in the E. chaffeensis immunoreactive proteins (gp120, gp47 and VLPT) as well as E. canis gp36 is well documented (Chen et al., 1997; Doyle et al., 2006; Sumner et al., 1999). The gp120 contains two to five nearly identical serine-rich TRs with 80-amino acids each, and gp47 has carboxy-terminal serine-rich TRs that vary in number and amino acid sequence among different isolates of each species. Major antibody epitopes of both gp120 and gp47 have been mapped to these serine-rich acidic TRs. (Doyle et al., 2006; Yu et al. 1996; Yu et al. 1997). Similarly, the VLPT has three to six nonidentical serine-rich TRs (30 amino acids); however, the E. canis ortholog (gp19) lacks multiple TRs. The presence of tandem repeats in both coding and noncoding regions of the genome has been linked to an active process of expansion and reduction of ehrlichial genomes (Frutos et al., 2006) and is considered a major source of genomic change and instability (Bzymek and Lovett, 2001). The E. chaffeensis vlpt gene also exhibits variations in the number of 90-bp tandem repeats (2 to 6) and has been utilized as a molecular diagnostic target and for differentiation of isolates (Sumner et al., 1999; Yabsley et al., 2003).

Recently, a strongly acidic 19-kDa major immunoreactive protein of E. canis has been identified (gp19), having the same relative chromosomal location and substantial homology in a C-terminal cysteine-tyrosine-rich domain as previously reported for VLPT protein in E. chaffeensis. However, while E. chaffeensis VLPT is immunoreactive, little is known regarding its cellular location, function and role in development of protective immunity. The molecular mass of native VLPT is also unknown. It has been suggested that E. chaffeensis Arkansas strain was 44-kDa, but immunoreactive proteins consistent with that mass have not been reported (Sumner et al. 1999). The VLPT of E. chaffeensis Arkansas is a 198 amino acid protein that has four repeats (30 amino acids) and has a molecular mass approximately double that predicted by its amino acid sequence (Sumner et al., 1999). E. chaffeensis VLPT protein appears to have posttranslational modification consistent with other described ehrlichial glycoproteins, but the presence of carbohydrate on VLPT has not been demonstrated.

Defining the molecular characteristics of ehrlichial immunodeterminants involved in elicitng humoral immunity during infection is important for understanding the basis of immunity to Ehrlichia species. The present invention fulfills a need in the art by providing novel methods and compositions concerning erhlichial infections in mammals, and in particular provides methods and compositions utilizing E. chaffeensis VLPT.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Human monocytrotropic ehrlichiosis (HME) is a tick-borne disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis. In general, the present invention concerns ehrlichial compositions and methods of manufacturing and using them. In specific embodiments, the invention concerns immunogenic compositions, including, for example, immunoprotective antigens as vaccines for ehrlichial diseases, such as subunit vaccines, for example. The immunogenic composition may be employed for any mammal, including, for example, humans, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, or sheep.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. canis have a small subset of tandem-repeat (TR) containing proteins that elicit strong host immune responses and are associated with host-pathogen interactions. Previously, a highly conserved 19-kDa major immunoreactive protein (gp19) of E. canis was characterized and the corresponding TR-containing ortholog variable-length PCR target (VLPT) protein in E. chaffeensis was identified. In an embodiment of this invention, the native 32-kDa VLPT protein is identified and the immunodeterminants defined in order to further define the molecular basis of the host immune response to E. chaffeensis. Synthetic and/or recombinant polypeptides corresponding to various regions of VLPT were used to localize major antibody epitopes to the TR-containing region. Major antibody epitopes were identified in three non-identical repeats (R2, R3 and R4), which reacted strongly with antibodies in sera from an E. chaffeensis-infected dog and HME patients. VLPT-R3 and VLPT-R2 reacted most strongly with antibody, and the epitope was further localized to a nearly identical proximal 17-amino-acid region common between these repeats that was species-specific. The epitope in R4 was distinct from that of R2 and R3 and was found to have conformational dependence. VLPT was detected in supernatants from infected cells, indicating that the protein was secreted. VLPT was localized on both reticulate and dense-cored cells, and it was found extracellularly in the morula fibrillar matrix and associated with the morula membrane.

In certain aspects of the invention, there is identification and characterization of the major immunoreactive glycoprotein VLPT in E. chaffeensis, the ortholog of the E. canis gp19. The E. canis gp19 lacks tandem repeats present in VLPT of E. chaffeensis, but the two proteins exhibit substantial amino acid similarity (59%) in a cysteine/tyrosine-rich carboxyl-terminal region, and both genes have the same relative chromosomal location. It was found that carbohydrate on recombinant ehrlichial TR-containing proteins exhibited larger than predicted masses similar to their native counterparts. VLPT exhibits a larger than predicted mass by gel electrophoresis, a finding that is observed with both native and recombinant VLPT proteins. Serine and threonine residues are linkage sites for O-glycans, and some of these amino acids were predicted to be glycan attachment sites on the VLPT. However, unlike other ehrlichial proteins, carbohydrate was not found on the VLPT, and the mass (as determined by MALDI-TOF) of a recombinant two repeat containing fragment (VLPT-R32; the combination of repeats R3 and R2) was consistent with its predicted mass confirming that the abnormal migration was not due to post-translational modification of VLPT tandem repeats. In an alternative embodiment, however, the VLPT is post-translationally modified. VLPT is a highly acidic protein, which in certain embodiments relates to the increase in electrophoretic mobility. In specific embodiments, the high acidic amino acid content and low overall pI (3.8) of VLPT relates to its electrophoretic behavior and, in particular cases contributes to the anomalous behavior of other highly acidic TR-containing ehrlichial proteins.

In specific aspects of the present invention, there are ehrlichial VLPT polypeptide compositions (or polynucleotide compositions that encode all or part of them) with one or more of the following characteristics: 1) comprises one or more moieties, which in specific embodiments comprises part of an epitope determinant; 2) comprises one or more moieties, such as an epitope, that are immunogenically species-specific; 3) is released extracellularly, such as by secretion; 4) comprises major B cell epitopes; 5) is surface-exposed; 6) is associated with the infectious dense-cored forms of ehrlichiae, such as on the surface, for example; and 7) is associated with morula fibrils (ehrlichiae form microcolonies inside cellular vacuoles (morulae) that harbor many individual ehrlichiae). In further aspects, recombinant polypeptide compositions of the present invention may be employed as an immunogenic composition, including, for example, a vaccine.

In particular embodiments of the invention, there are E. chaffeensis VLPT immunogenic compositions that comprise an amino acid sequence that is immunogenic, and in further particular embodiments, the immunogenicity is characterized by being at least part of an epitope. In further embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises at least part of a vaccine composition against an ehrlichial organism, such as E. chaffeensis. In specific embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises serines, threonines, and/or, optionally, alanine, proline, valine, and/or glutamic acid.

In further specific embodiments, an amino acid sequence of the invention, for example an immunogenic amino acid sequence, comprises part or all of the following exemplary sequence: SDSHEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLESDLQQSSN (SEQ ID NO:3); exemplary sequence: SDLHGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQLGNDLQQSSD (SEQ ID NO:4); exemplary sequence: SDLHGSFSVELFDPSKEEVQLESDLQQSSN (SEQ ID NO:5); exemplary sequence: SDLHGSFSVELFDPFKE (SEQ ID NO:8) exemplary sequence: HGSFSVELFDPFKE (SEQ ID NO:9); exemplary sequence: HGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQ (SEQ ID NO:10); or exemplary sequence: HGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQLGN (SEQ ID NO:11). In additional embodiments, the amino acid sequence is comprised in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, which in some aspects of the invention comprises an adjuvant. In certain aspects of the invention, there is a polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO:16 (tttatatttatatatgattaatatataatgataatggtatgtggttataactgcttattagttgatcatgtacctgtgtgttatgttaaatagggtataaat atgtcacaattctctgaagataatatgggtaatatacaaatgccttttgattctgattcacatgagccttctcatcttgagctacctagtctttctgaa gaagtgattcaattagagagtgatctacaacaatcttctaattctgatttacacgggtctttttctgttgagttatttgatccttttaaagaagcagttc aattggggaatgatctacaacaatcttctgattctgatttacacgggtctttttctgttgagttatttgatccttctaaagaagaagttcaattggaga gtgatctacaacaatcttctaattactgatttacacgagtcttcttttgttgagttacctggtccttccaaagaagaagttcaattcgaagatgatgct aaaaatgtagtatatggacaagaccatgttagtttatctgaattaggcttattgttaggtggtgtttttagtacaatgaattatttgtctggttatacac cgtattattatfcatcattattgttgttataatccttattattattttgattatgttactccagattattgtcatcactgtagtgaaagtagtttagagtagga tatttagaaatataaatggttgttgacttcacaaaaggtgtagttttatatgttttatgctgttttatagtgttataaggatatgagttgtttttactattttt) that encodes the peptide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 (MSQFSEDNMGNIQMPFDSDSHEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLESDLQQSSNSDLHGSFSVELFD PFKEAVQLGNDLQQSSDSDLHGSFSVELFDPSKEEVQLESDLQQSSNSDLHESSFVELPG PSKEEVQFEDDAKNVVYGQDHVSLSELGLLLGGVFSTMNYLSGYTPYYYHHYCCYNPY YYFDYVTPDYCHHCSESSLE).

In certain embodiments of the present invention, there are immunogenic VLPT E. chaffeensis compositions, and particular sequences of the VLPT compositions may impart its immunogenicity; for example, a region of the VLPT composition may comprise an epitope.

In some aspects of the invention, multiple different E. chaffeensis strains comprise immunogenic VLPT compositions, and there is significant sequence identity among the strains in regions of the VLPT compositions that comprise the epitope (such as greater than about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%, for example). However, in some embodiments, there may be significant sequence identity among the strains in regions of the VLPT compositions that do not comprise the epitope. In particular aspects of the invention, there is a VLPT composition that is immunogenic for more than one strain of E. chaffeensis, and in particular aspects, the epitope of one of the strains is or comprises or consists essentially of or consists of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, although other epitopes may also be identified. In embodiments wherein an alternative VLPT E. chaffeensis epitope is identified, there may be provided an immunogenic composition comprising a mixture of VLPT E. chaffeensis epitopes, such as a mixture including SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, for example.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is an immunogenic VLPT E. chaffeensis glycoprotein. In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is an E. chaffeensis composition comprising SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11. In specific aspects of the invention, the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The composition may be further defined as comprising one or more carbohydrate moieties, as comprising part or all of an epitope, and/or as a vaccine, such as a subunit vaccine.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is an E. chaffeensis composition comprising a polypeptide encoded by at least part of the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:16 and/or an E. chaffeensis composition comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:1. In one embodiment of the invention, there is an isolated composition comprising an Ehrlichia VLPT glycoprotein, comprising: (a) a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; or (b) a sequence that is at least about 70% identical to one or more sequences in (a). The composition may be further defined as a sequence that is at least about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, or about 95% identical to one or more sequences in (a). The composition may also be further defined as being comprised in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, as comprising one or more carbohydrate moieties, and/or as being comprised in a pharmaceutical composition suitable as a vaccine.

In a specific embodiment, there is an isolated polynucleotide that encodes SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, or a mixture thereof.

In particular embodiments, there is an isolated polynucleotide, comprising: a) a polynucleotide that encodes SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; or b) a polynucleotide that is at least about 90% identical to the polynucleotide of a) and that encodes an immunoreactive E. chaffeensis VLPT polypeptide.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is an isolated polypeptide, comprising: a) SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, or b) a VLPT polypeptide that is at least about 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, and that comprises immunogenic activity. In a specific embodiment, the polypeptide is comprised in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and/or it may be further defined as being comprised in a pharmaceutical composition suitable as a vaccine.

In certain aspects of the invention, there are polynucleotides that are amplifiable by one or more of the exemplary primers of SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, or SEQ ID NO:22 (Table 4.)

In another aspect of the invention, there are isolated antibodies that bind one or more polypeptides of the invention. Antibodies may be monoclonal, polyclonal, or antibody fragments, for example. In particular embodiments, the antibody binds selectively to an epitope of VLPT, for example one that comprises SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11. In specific embodiments, the antibody may be referred to as immunologically reacting with one or more polypeptides of the invention.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is a method of providing resistance to E. chaffeensis infection, comprising the step of delivering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of the invention, such as a VLPT antibody, polypeptide, and/or polynucleotide, to the individual.

In another embodiment, there is a method of inducing an immune response in an individual, comprising the step of delivering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a VLPT polypeptide of the invention. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of inhibiting or preventing E. chaffeensis infection in a subject comprising the steps of: identifying a subject prior to exposure or suspected of being exposed to or infected with E. chaffeensis; and administering a polypeptide, antibody, and/or polynucleotide of the invention in an amount effective to inhibit E. chaffeensis infection.

Polynucleotides of the invention may be comprised in a vector, such as a viral vector or a non-viral vector, wherein the viral vector may be an adenoviral vector, a retroviral vector, a lentiviral vector, an adeno-associated vector, a herpes virus vector, or a vaccinia virus vector and wherein the non-viral vector may be a plasmid. In further aspects of the invention, the vector comprise a promoter operably linked to the polynucleotide wherein the promoter is operable in a prokaryote, a eukaryote, or both. The polynucleotide of the invention may be comprised in a liposome and/or comprised in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In certain aspects of the invention, there is an isolated antibody that reacts immunologically to a polypeptide of the invention, and the antibody may be a monoclonal antibody, may be comprised in polyclonal antisera, or may be an antibody fragment, for example.

In other embodiments of the invention, there is a method of inducing an immune response in an individual, comprising the step of delivering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of the invention, such as a polypeptide, antibody and/or polynucleotide.

In additional embodiments of the invention, there is a method of inhibiting E. chaffeensis infection in a subject comprising the steps of: identifying a subject prior to exposure or suspected of being exposed to or infected with E. chaffeensis; and administering the polypeptide of the invention in an amount effective to inhibit E. chaffeensis infection. In further embodiments of the invention, there is a method of identifying an E. chaffeensis infection in an individual, comprising the step of assaying a sample from the individual for an antibody, polypeptide, and/or polynucleotide of the invention.

In specific aspects of the invention, a polypeptide is further defined as being from 10 to 11 amino acids in length, being from 10 to 12 amino acids in length, being from 10 to 13 amino acids in length, being from 10 to 14 amino acids in length, being from 10 to 15 amino acids in length, being from 10 to 17 amino acids in length, from 10 to 20 amino acids in length, from 10 to 25 amino acids in length, being from 14 to 20 amino acids in length, being from 14 to 25 amino acids in length, being from 14 to 27 amino acids in length, being from 14 to 30 amino acids in length, from 15 to 30 amino acids in length, being from 16 to 20 amino acids in length, being from 16 to 25 amino acids in length, being from 16 to 30 amino acids in length, being from 17 to 20 amino acids in length, being from 17 to 25 amino acids in length, being from 17 to 30 amino acids in length, being from 20 to 25 amino acids in length, being from 20 to 27 amino acids in length, being from 20 to 30 amino acids in length, from 24 to 30 amino acids in length, from 24 to 35 amino acids in length, from 24 to 40 amino acids in length, from 24 to 45 amino acids in length, from 24 to 50 amino acids in length, from 24 to 55 amino acids in length, from 24 to 60 amino acids in length, from 24 to 65 amino acids in length, from 24 to 70 amino acids in length, from 24 to 75 amino acids in length, from 24 to 80 amino acids in length, from 24 to 85 amino acids in length, from 24 to 90 amino acids in length, from 24 to 95 amino acids in length, from 24 to 100 amino acids in length, being from 30 to 50 amino acids in length, being from 30 to 45 amino acids in length, or being from 30 to 55 amino acids in length, for example.

In particular embodiments, a polypeptide of the invention is at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 or more amino acids in length. In certain aspects of the invention, a polypeptide of the invention is no more than 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 amino acids in length.

Variants of polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, may be defined as being at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; as being at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; as being at least 90% (or 91%, or 92%, or 93%, or 94%) identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; or as being at least 95% (or 96%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99%) identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11.

In an additional embodiment, there is a composition comprising: (a) a peptide having SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; or (b) a variant of the peptide of (a), wherein the variant is at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, wherein the composition is capable of eliciting an immune reaction in an individual. In a specific embodiment, there is a peptide is from 14 to 30 amino acids in length. In a specific embodiment, there is a variant is further defined as being at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11.

A composition of the invention may be defined as having activity that provides immunity against Ehrlichia chaffeensis for an individual. A composition of the invention may be defined as having activity that induces an immune reaction against Ehrlichia chaffeensis for an individual. Compositions of the invention include any polypeptide, peptide, polynucleotide, and/or antibody provided herein.

Nucleic acid molecules may be further defined as being comprised in a vector, such as a viral vector or a non-viral vector, wherein the viral vector may comprise an adenoviral vector, a retroviral vector, or an adeno-associated viral vector. The nucleic acid molecule may be comprised in a liposome.

In specific embodiments, there is an isolated antibody that immunologically reacts with one or more of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; and SEQ ID NO:11. In further specific embodiments, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, is comprised in polyclonal antisera, or is an antibody fragment.

In an additional embodiment, there is a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising: providing a host cell comprising a polynucleotide of the invention and culturing the cell under conditions suitable for the host cell to express the polynucleotide to produce the encoded polypeptide. The method may further comprise isolating the polypeptide.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is a method of inducing an immune response in an individual, comprising the step of delivering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is a method of inhibiting E. chaffeensis infection in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject prior to exposure or suspected of being exposed to or infected with E. chaffeensis, an effective amount of a composition of the invention.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is a method of identifying an E. chaffeensis infection in an individual, comprising the step of assaying a sample from the individual for one or both of the following: (a) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11, or a mixture thereof; or (b) an antibody that immunologically reacts with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11. In specific embodiments, the antibody of (b) immunologically reacts with an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11. In specific aspects, assaying a sample for an antibody is further defined as assaying for an antibody by ELISA, such as by allowing assaying for one or more E. chaffeensis antibodies other then the antibody of (b).

In an embodiment of the invention, there is a kit, comprising one or more of the following compositions: (a) an isolated polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; (b) an isolated polypeptide that is at least 70% identical to a polypeptide of (a); (c) an isolated polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; (d) an isolated polypeptide that is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11; (e) an isolated antibody that immunologically reacts with one or more of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11. In a specific embodiment, the kit is further defined as comprising two or more of the compositions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a polypeptide composition, comprising one or more of the following: (a) an isolated polypeptide comprising one or more amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; and SEQ ID NO:11; or (b) an isolated polypeptide that is at least 95% identical to a polypeptide of (a). In a specific embodiment, the isolated polypeptide is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide of (a) comprises the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5. In an additional specific embodiment, the polypeptide of (a) comprises the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; or SEQ ID NO:11.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is an isolated antibody that immunologically reacts with one or more of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; and SEQ ID NO:11. In a specific embodiment, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is a method of inducing an immune response in an individual, comprising the step of delivering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, there is a method of inhibiting E. chaffeensis infection in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition of the invention.

In a certain aspect of the invention, there is a method of identifying an E. chaffeensis infection in an individual, comprising the step of assaying a sample from the individual for one of the following: (a) an isolated polypeptide comprising one or more amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; SEQ ID NO:8; SEQ ID NO:9; SEQ ID NO:10; and SEQ ID NO:11; or (b) an antibody that immunologically reacts with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the polypeptides of (a). In one embodiment of the invention, the sample is assayed for the polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 and SEQ ID NO:19. In a specific embodiment, the assay is by ELISA for the antibody of (b). In another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises obtaining the sample from the individual.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, there is a kit, housed in a suitable container, that comprises a polypeptide composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the kit comprises two or more polypeptide compositions of the invention. In a specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and/or SEQ ID NO:5.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying Figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the Figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A. provides an amino acid sequence of VLPT protein showing all domains and location of four TRs (number of amino acids in parentheses; R=repeat) (including the N terminal 17 amino acids (SEQ ID NO:2), peptides R4 (SEQ ID NO:3), R3 (SEQ ID NO:4), R2 (SEQ ID NO:5) R1 (SEQ ID NO:6) and the C terminal 61 amino acids (SEQ ID NO:15). FIG. 1B. provides a Phylogenetic tree showing the relationship of the four E. chaffeensis VLPT repeats. The scale represents the amino acid percent identity.

FIG. 2A shows the identification of native VLPT in E. chaffeensis whole cell lysates (lane 1), supernatants derived from E. chaffeensis infected cells (lane 2), and E. canis whole cell lysates (lane 3) reacted with anti-VLPT-R3 peptide antibody and FIG. 2B shows the same, but with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum. Pre-immunization rabbit serum or dog serum controls did not recognize E. chaffeensis whole cell lysates or supernatants (data not shown).

FIG. 3 provides a schematic of synthetic and recombinant peptides used to map the VLPT epitopes.

FIG. 4A shows the immunoreactivity of synthetic and recombinant peptides of E. chaffeensis VLPT with anti-E. chaffeensis dog (no. 2251) serum. SDS-PAGE and total protein staining of purified recombinant peptides (top) and corresponding Western immunoblot probed with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (bottom). M, Precision Protein Standard (Bio-Rad); Ctrl, purified recombinant thioredoxin. FIG. 4B provides immunoreactivity by ELISA of small recombinant and corresponding synthetic VLPT polypeptides (N [synthetic only], R1, R2, R3, and R4) and large VLPT protein fragments (recombinant only; C, R4321-C, and R32). The OD readings represent the means for three wells (±standard deviations), with the OD of the buffer-only wells subtracted.

FIG. 5A provides the sequence and orientation of overlapping peptides (7 peptides) representing VLPT-R3 (SEQ ID NO:4), including peptides R3-1 (SEQ ID NO:7), R3-2 (SEQ ID NO:8, R3-3 (SEQ ID NO:9), R3-4 (SEQ ID NO:10), R3-5 (SEQ ID NO:11), R3-6 (SEQ ID NO:12) and R3-7 (SEQ ID NO:13). FIG. 5B shows the immunoreactivity of VLPT-R3 overlapping peptides by ELISA with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum.

FIGS. 6A-D. Shows the immunoreactivity of synthetic and recombinant E. chaffeensis VLPT repeats (R2, R3 and R4) by ELISA with three HME patient sera (FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C; Ctrl, purified recombinant thioredoxin). Synthetic E. chaffeensis VLPT-R3 reacted by ELISA with 14 HME patient sera (lanes 1-14), anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (lane 15) and normal human serum (lane 16) (FIG. 6D). The normal human serum did not recognize other peptides and proteins as well (data not shown).

FIG. 7. Western immunoblot of DH82 cell culture supernatant (0 to 6 days postinfection, lanes 1 to 7, respectively) of E. chaffeensis probed with anti-VLPT-R3 peptide antibody. M, Precision Protein Standard (Bio-Rad).

FIG. 8A provides an electron photomicrograph of an ultrathin section of E. chaffeensis-infected DH82 cells demonstrating E. chaffeensis VLPT localization in reticulate and dense-cored ehrlichiae, and FIG. 8B provides a corresponding ultrathin section containing uninfected DH82 cells (negative control). Cells in both panels were reacted with rabbit anti-VLPT-R3 peptide antibody (1:10,000). Bar=1 μm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application incorporates by reference in their entirety PCT/US2007/75343, filed Aug. 7, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/841,465, filed Aug. 31, 2006.

I. Definitions

In keeping with long-standing patent law convention, the words “a” and “an” when used in the present specification in concert with the word comprising, including the claims, denote “one or more.” Some embodiments of the invention may consist of or consist essentially of one or more elements, method steps, and/or methods of the invention. It is contemplated that any method or composition described herein can be implemented with respect to any other method or composition described herein.

The term “carbohydrate” as used herein refers to a composition comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, particularly in the ratio of 2H:1C:1O. The term includes sugars, starches, and celluloses, for example.

The term “epitope” as used herein refers to a site of a composition to which a specific antibody binds.

The term “glycan,” which may also be referred to as a “polysaccharide,” as used herein refers to a carbohydrate that can be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more monosaccharides. In other words, it may be referred to as a chain of simple sugars (aldehyde or ketone derivatives of a polyhydric alcohol).

The term “identity” as known in the art, refers to a relationship between the sequences of two or more polypeptide molecules or two or more nucleic acid molecules, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, “identity” also means the degree of sequence relatedness between nucleic acid molecules or between polypeptides, as the case may be, as determined by the number of matches between strings of two or more nucleotide residues or two or more amino acid residues. “Identity” measures the percent of identical matches between the smaller of two or more sequences with gap alignments (if any) addressed by a particular mathematical model or computer program (i.e., “algorithms”).

The term “immunogenic” as used herein refers to a composition that is able to provoke an immune response against it.

The term “immune response” as used herein refers to the reaction of the immune system to the presence of an antigen by making antibodies to the antigen. In further specific embodiments, immunity to the antigen may be developed on a cellular level, by the body as a whole, hypersensitivity to the antigen may be developed, and/or tolerance may be developed, such as from subsequent challenge. In specific embodiments, an immune response entails lymphocytes identifying an antigenic molecule as foreign and inducing the formation of antibodies and lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering it less harmful.

The term “immunoreactive” as used herein refers to a composition being reactive with antibodies from the sera of an individual. In specific embodiments, a composition is immunoreactive if an antibody recognizes it, such as by binding to it and/or immunologically reacting with it.

The term “mucin” as used herein refers to one or more highly glycosylated glycoproteins with N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc.)

The term “ortholog” as used herein refers to a polynucleotide from one species that corresponds to a polynucleotide in another species; the two polynucleotides are related through a common ancestral species (a homologous polynucleotide). However, the polynucleotide from one species has evolved to become different from the polynucleotide of the other species.

The term “similarity” is a related concept, but in contrast to “identity”, refers to a sequence relationship that includes both identical matches and conservative substitution matches. If two polypeptide sequences have, for example, 10/20 identical amino acids, and the remainder are all non-conservative substitutions, then the percent identity and similarity would both be 50%. If, in the same example, there are 5 more positions where there are conservative substitutions, then the percent identity remains 50%, but the percent similarity would be 75% ( 15/20). Therefore, in cases where there are conservative substitutions, the degree of similarity between two polypeptides will be higher than the percent identity between those two polypeptides.

The term “subunit vaccine” as used herein refers to a vaccine wherein a polypeptide or fragment thereof is employed, as opposed to an entire organism.

The term “vaccine” as used herein refers to a composition that provides immunity to an individual upon challenge.

The term “virulence factor” as used herein refers to one or more gene products that enable a microorganism to establish itself on or within a particular host species and enhance its pathogenicity. Exemplary virulence factors include, for example, cell surface proteins that mediate bacterial attachment, cell surface carbohydrates and proteins that protect a bacterium, bacterial toxins, and hydrolytic enzymes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of the bacterium.

The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA, and so forth which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature. See e.g., Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Second Edition (1989), OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS (M. J. Gait Ed., 1984), ANIMAL CELL CULTURE (R. I. Freshney, Ed., 1987), the series METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY (Academic Press, Inc.); GENE TRANSFER VECTORS FOR MAMMALIAN CELLS (J. M. Miller and M. P. Calos eds. 1987), HANDBOOK OF EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, (D. M. Weir and C. C. Blackwell, Eds.), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel, R. Brent, R. E. Kingston, D. D. Moore, J. G. Siedman, J. A. Smith, and K. Struhl, eds., 1987), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY (J. E. coli gan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M. Shevach and W. Strober, eds., 1991); ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY; as well as monographs in journals such as ADVANCES IN IMMUNOLOGY. All patents, patent applications, and publications mentioned herein, both supra and infra, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

II. Embodiments of the Present Invention

The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to Ehrlichia spp. Proteins, the polynucleotides that encode them, and fragments and related molecules thereto. In particular aspects of the invention, there are differentially-expressed and secreted major immunoreactive protein orthologs of E. canis and E. chaffeensis that elicit early antibody responses to epitopes on glycosylated tandem repeats. Specifically, the present invention concerns one or more glycoproteins from Ehrlichia spp., in specific embodiments. In further embodiments, the present invention relates to a glycoprotein from Ehrlichia spp. that is a VLPT protein. In additional embodiments, the VLPT protein is from E. chaffeensis.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis has a small subset of major immunoreactive proteins that includes a 19-kDa protein that elicits an early ehrlichial specific antibody response in infected dogs. The present invention concerns the identification and molecular characterization of the E. chaffeensis variable-length PCR target (VLPT) protein.

Some embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a method of inhibiting E. chaffeensis infection in a subject comprising the steps of identifying a subject prior to exposure or suspected of being exposed to or infected with E. chaffeensis and administering a composition comprising an antigen of E. chaffeensis in an amount effective to inhibit E. chaffeensis infection. The inhibition may occur through any means such as e.g., the stimulation of the subject's humoral or cellular immune responses, or by other means such as inhibiting the normal function of the antigen, or even competing with the antigen for interaction with some agent in the subject's body, or a combination thereof, for example.

The present invention is also directed toward a method of targeted therapy to an individual, comprising the step of administering a compound to an individual, wherein the compound has a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety, and wherein the targeting moiety is specific for VLPT protein. In certain aspects, the targeting moiety is an antibody specific for VLPT or ligand or ligand binding domain that binds VLPT. Likewise, the therapeutic moiety may comprise a radioisotope, a toxin, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immune stimulant, a cytotoxic agent, or an antibiotic, for example.

Other embodiments of the present invention concern diagnosis of ehrlichial infection in a mammal by assaying a sample from the mammal, such as blood or serum, for example, for antibodies to a VLPT composition (for E. chaffeensis).

III. E. chaffeensis VLPT Amino Acid Compositions

The present invention regards a polypeptide or peptide comprising E. chaffeensis VLPT. For the sake of brevity, the following section will refer to any E. chaffeensis VLPT amino acid compositions of the present invention, including polypeptides and peptides.

In particular embodiments, a polypeptide may be a recombinant polypeptide or it may be isolated and/or purified from nature, for example. In particular aspects, the amino acid sequence is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence. The polypeptide is useful as an antigen, in specific embodiments. In other particular embodiments, a peptide may be generated synthetically or encoded by an oligonucleotide, for example. The peptide is useful as an antigen, in specific embodiments.

The present invention is also directed towards a method of producing the recombinant polypeptide, comprising the steps of obtaining a vector that comprises an expression construct comprising a sequence encoding the amino acid sequence operatively linked to a promoter; transfecting the vector into a cell; and culturing the cell under conditions effective for expression of the expression construct. The amino acid sequence may be generated synthetically, in alternative embodiments.

By a “substantially pure protein” is meant a protein that has been separated from at least some of those components that naturally accompany it. A substantially pure immunoreactive composition may be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source; by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an immunoreactive composition; or by chemically synthesizing the protein, for example. Accordingly, substantially pure proteins include proteins synthesized in E. coli, other prokaryotes, or any other organism in which they do not naturally occur.

Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention concerns novel compositions comprising at least one proteinaceous molecule. As used herein, a “proteinaceous molecule,” “proteinaceous composition,” “proteinaceous compound,” “proteinaceous chain” or “proteinaceous material” generally refers, but is not limited to, a protein of greater than about 130 amino acids or the full length endogenous sequence translated from a gene; a polypeptide of greater than about 100 amino acids; and/or a peptide of from about 3 to about 100 amino acids. All the “proteinaceous” terms described above may be used interchangeably herein.

In certain embodiments the size of the at least one proteinaceous molecule may comprise, but is not limited to, about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39, about 40, about 41, about 42, about 43, about 44, about 45, about 46, about 47, about 48, about 49, about 50, about 51, about 52, about 53, about 54, about 55, about 56, about 57, about 58, about 59, about 60, about 61, about 62, about 63, about 64, about 65, about 66, about 67, about 68, about 69, about 70, about 71, about 72, about 73, about 74, about 75, about 76, about 77, about 78, about 79, about 80, about 81, about 82, about 83, about 84, about 85, about 86, about 87, about 88, about 89, about 90, about 91, about 92, about 93, about 94, about 95, about 96, about 97, about 98, about 99, about 100, about 110, about 120, about 130, or greater amino acid residues, and any range derivable therein.

As used herein, an “amino acid molecule” refers to any polypeptide, polypeptide derivative, or polypeptide mimetic as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In certain embodiments, the residues of the proteinaceous molecule are sequential, without any non-amino acid molecule interrupting the sequence of amino acid molecule residues. In other embodiments, the sequence may comprise one or more non-amino molecule moieties. In particular embodiments, the sequence of residues of the proteinaceous molecule may be interrupted by one or more non-amino molecule moieties.

Accordingly, the term “proteinaceous composition” encompasses amino molecule sequences comprising at least one of the 20 common amino acids in naturally synthesized proteins, or at least one modified or unusual amino acid, including but not limited to those shown on Table 1. below.

TABLE 1 Modified and Unusual Amino Acids Abbr. Amino Acid Abbr. Amino Acid Aad 2-Aminoadipic acid EtAsn N-Ethylasparagine Baad 3-Aminoadipic acid Hyl Hydroxylysine Bala β-alanine, β-Amino-propionic acid AHyl allo-Hydroxylysine Abu 2-Aminobutyric acid 3Hyp 3-Hydroxyproline 4Abu 4-Aminobutyric acid, 4Hyp 4-Hydroxyproline piperidinic acid Acp 6-Aminocaproic acid Ide Isodesmosine Ahe 2-Aminoheptanoic acid AIle allo-Isoleucine Aib 2-Aminoisobutyric acid MeGly N-Methylglycine, sarcosine Baib 3-Aminoisobutyric acid MeIle N-Methylisoleucine Apm 2-Aminopimelic acid MeLys 6-N-Methyllysine Dbu 2,4-Diaminobutyric acid MeVal N-Methylvaline Des Desmosine Nva Norvaline Dpm 2,2′-Diaminopimelic acid Nle Norleucine Dpr 2,3-Diaminopropionic acid Orn Ornithine EtGly N-Ethylglycine

In certain embodiments the proteinaceous composition comprises at least one protein, polypeptide or peptide. In further embodiments, the proteinaceous composition comprises a biocompatible protein, polypeptide or peptide. As used herein, the term “biocompatible” refers to a substance that produces no significant untoward effects when applied to, or administered to, a given organism according to the methods and amounts described herein. Such untoward or undesirable effects are those such as significant toxicity or adverse immunological reactions.

Proteinaceous compositions may be made by any technique known to those of skill in the art, including the expression of proteins, polypeptides or peptides through standard molecular biological techniques, the isolation of proteinaceous compounds from natural sources, or the chemical synthesis of proteinaceous materials, for example. The nucleotide and protein, polypeptide and peptide sequences for various genes have been previously disclosed, and may be found at computerized databases known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Two such databases are the National Center for Biotechnology Information's GenBank® and GenPept databases, for example. The coding regions for these known genes may be amplified and/or expressed using the techniques disclosed herein or as would be know to those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, various commercial preparations of proteins, polypeptides and peptides are known to those of skill in the art.

In certain embodiments a proteinaceous compound may be purified. Generally, “purified” will refer to a specific or protein, polypeptide, or peptide composition that has been subjected to fractionation to remove various other proteins, polypeptides, or peptides, and which composition substantially retains its activity, as may be assessed, for example, by the protein assays, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art for the specific or desired protein, polypeptide or peptide. Exemplary activities that may be assessed for retention in the purified proteinaceous composition are iron-binding activity and immunoreactivity.

In specific embodiments of the present invention, a polypeptide is labeled, and any detectable label is suitable in the invention. The label may be attached to the polypeptide at the N-terminus, at the C-terminus, or in a side chain of an amino acid residue, for example. One or more labels may be employed. Exemplary labels included radioactive labels, fluorescent labels, colorimetric labels, and so forth. In specific embodiments, the label is covalently attached to the polypeptide.

IV. E. cHAFFEENSIS VLPT Nucleic Acid Compositions

Certain embodiments of the present invention concern an E. chaffeensis VLPT nucleic acid. For the sake of brevity, the following section will refer to any E. chaffeensis VLPT nucleic acid compositions of the present invention.

In certain aspects, a nucleic acid comprises a wild-type or a mutant nucleic acid. In particular aspects, a nucleic acid encodes for or comprises a transcribed nucleic acid. In other aspects, a nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid segment, or a biologically functional equivalent thereof. In particular aspects, a nucleic acid encodes a protein, polypeptide, peptide.

The term “nucleic acid” is well known in the art and may be used interchangeably herein with the term “polynucleotide.” A “nucleic acid” as used herein will generally refer to a molecule (i.e., a strand) of DNA, RNA or a derivative or analog thereof, comprising a nucleobase. A nucleobase includes, for example, a naturally occurring purine or pyrimidine base found in DNA (e.g., an adenine “A,” a guanine “G,” a thymine “T” or a cytosine “C”) or RNA (e.g., an A, a G, an uracil “U” or a C). The term “nucleic acid” encompass the terms “oligonucleotide” and “polynucleotide,” each as a subgenus of the term “nucleic acid.” The term “oligonucleotide” refers to a molecule of between about 3 and about 100 nucleobases in length. The term “polynucleotide” refers to at least one molecule of greater than about 100 nucleobases in length.

These definitions generally refer to a single-stranded molecule, but in specific embodiments will also encompass an additional strand that is partially, substantially or fully complementary to the single-stranded molecule. Thus, a nucleic acid may encompass a double-stranded molecule or a triple-stranded molecule that comprises one or more complementary strand(s) or “complement(s)” of a particular sequence comprising a molecule. As used herein, a single stranded nucleic acid may be denoted by the prefix “ss,” a double stranded nucleic acid by the prefix “ds,” and a triple stranded nucleic acid by the prefix “ts.”

A. Nucleobases

As used herein a “nucleobase” refers to a heterocyclic base, such as for example a naturally occurring nucleobase (i.e., an A, T, G, C or U) found in at least one naturally occurring nucleic acid (i.e., DNA and RNA), and naturally or non-naturally occurring derivative(s) and analogs of such a nucleobase. A nucleobase generally can form one or more hydrogen bonds (“anneal” or “hybridize”) with at least one naturally occurring nucleobase in manner that may substitute for naturally occurring nucleobase pairing (e.g., the hydrogen bonding between A and T, G and C, and A and U).

“Purine” and/or “pyrimidine” nucleobase(s) encompass naturally occurring purine and/or pyrimidine nucleobases and also derivative(s) and analog(s) thereof, including but not limited to, those a purine or pyrimidine substituted by one or more of an alkyl, carboxyalkyl, amino, hydroxyl, halogen (i.e., fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo), thiol or alkylthiol moeity. Preferred alkyl (e.g., alkyl, caboxyalkyl, etc.) moieties comprise of from about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, to about 6 carbon atoms. Other non-limiting examples of a purine or pyrimidine include a deazapurine, a 2,6-diaminopurine, a 5-fluorouracil, a xanthine, a hypoxanthine, a 8-bromoguanine, a 8-chloroguanine, a bromothymine, a 8-aminoguanine, a 8-hydroxyguanine, a 8-methylguanine, a 8-thioguanine, an azaguanine, a 2-aminopurine, a 5-ethylcytosine, a 5-methylcyosine, a 5-bromouracil, a 5-ethyluracil, a 5-iodouracil, a 5-chlorouracil, a 5-propyluracil, a thiouracil, a 2-methyladenine, a methylthioadenine, a N,N-diemethyladenine, an azaadenines, a 8-bromoadenine, a 8-hydroxyadenine, a 6-hydroxyaminopurine, a 6-thiopurine, a 4-(6-aminohexyl/cytosine), and the like.

A nucleobase may be comprised in a nucleoside or nucleotide, using any chemical or natural synthesis method described herein or known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

B. Nucleosides

As used herein, a “nucleoside” refers to an individual chemical unit comprising a nucleobase covalently attached to a nucleobase linker moiety. A non-limiting example of a “nucleobase linker moiety” is a sugar comprising 5-carbon atoms (i.e., a “5-carbon sugar”), including but not limited to a deoxyribose, a ribose, an arabinose, or a derivative or an analog of a 5-carbon sugar. Non-limiting examples of a derivative or an analog of a 5-carbon sugar include a 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxyribose or a carbocyclic sugar where a carbon is substituted for an oxygen atom in the sugar ring.

Different types of covalent attachment(s) of a nucleobase to a nucleobase linker moiety are known in the art. By way of non-limiting example, a nucleoside comprising a purine (i.e., A or G) or a 7-deazapurine nucleobase typically covalently attaches the 9 position of a purine or a 7-deazapurine to the 1′-position of a 5-carbon sugar. In another non-limiting example, a nucleoside comprising a pyrimidine nucleobase (i.e., C, T or U) typically covalently attaches a 1 position of a pyrimidine to a 1′-position of a 5-carbon sugar (Kornberg and Baker, 1992).

C. Nucleotides

As used herein, a “nucleotide” refers to a nucleoside further comprising a “backbone moiety”. A backbone moiety generally covalently attaches a nucleotide to another molecule comprising a nucleotide, or to another nucleotide to form a nucleic acid. The “backbone moiety” in naturally occurring nucleotides typically comprises a phosphorus moiety, which is covalently attached to a 5-carbon sugar. The attachment of the backbone moiety typically occurs at either the 3′- or 5′-position of the 5-carbon sugar. However, other types of attachments are known in the art, particularly when a nucleotide comprises derivatives or analogs of a naturally occurring 5-carbon sugar or phosphorus moiety.

D. Nucleic Acid Analogs

A nucleic acid may comprise, or be composed entirely of, a derivative or analog of a nucleobase, a nucleobase linker moiety and/or backbone moiety that may be present in a naturally occurring nucleic acid. As used herein a “derivative” refers to a chemically modified or altered form of a naturally occurring molecule, while the terms “mimic” or “analog” refer to a molecule that may or may not structurally resemble a naturally occurring molecule or moiety, but possesses similar functions. As used herein, a “moiety” generally refers to a smaller chemical or molecular component of a larger chemical or molecular structure. Nucleobase, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs or derivatives are well known in the art, and have been described (see for example, Scheit, 1980, incorporated herein by reference).

Additional non-limiting examples of nucleosides, nucleotides or nucleic acids comprising 5-carbon sugar and/or backbone moiety derivatives or analogs, include those in U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,947 which describes oligonucleotides comprising purine derivatives that form triple helixes with and/or prevent expression of dsDNA; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,652,099 and 5,763,167 which describe nucleic acids incorporating fluorescent analogs of nucleosides found in DNA or RNA, particularly for use as fluorescent nucleic acids probes; U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,617 which describes oligonucleotide analogs with substitutions on pyrimidine rings that possess enhanced nuclease stability; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,670,663, 5,872,232 and 5,859,221 which describe oligonucleotide analogs with modified 5-carbon sugars (i.e., modified 2′-deoxyfuranosyl moieties) used in nucleic acid detection; U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,137 which describes oligonucleotides comprising at least one 5-carbon sugar moiety substituted at the 4′ position with a substituent other than hydrogen that can be used in hybridization assays; U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,165 which describes oligonucleotides with both deoxyribonucleotides with 3′-5′ internucleotide linkages and ribonucleotides with 2′-5′ internucleotide linkages; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,606 which describes a modified internucleotide linkage wherein a 3′-position oxygen of the internucleotide linkage is replaced by a carbon to enhance the nuclease resistance of nucleic acids; U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,697 which describes oligonucleotides containing one or more 5′ methylene phosphonate internucleotide linkages that enhance nuclease resistance; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,466,786 and 5,792,847 which describe the linkage of a substituent moeity which may comprise a drug or label to the 2′ carbon of an oligonucleotide to provide enhanced nuclease stability and ability to deliver drugs or detection moieties; U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,618 which describes oligonucleotide analogs with a 2 or 3 carbon backbone linkage attaching the 4′ position and 3′ position of adjacent 5-carbon sugar moiety to enhanced cellular uptake, resistance to nucleases and hybridization to target RNA; U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,967 which describes oligonucleotides comprising at least one sulfamate or sulfamide internucleotide linkage that are useful as nucleic acid hybridization probe; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,825, 5,777,092, 5,623,070, 5,610,289 and 5,602,240 which describe oligonucleotides with three or four atom linker moeity replacing phosphodiester backbone moeity used for improved nuclease resistance, cellular uptake and regulating RNA expression; U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,988 which describes hydrophobic carrier agent attached to the 2′-O position of oligonucleotides to enhanced their membrane permeability and stability; U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,136 which describes olignucleotide conjugated to anthraquinone at the 5′ terminus that possess enhanced hybridization to DNA or RNA; enhanced stability to nucleases; U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,922 which describes PNA-DNA-PNA chimeras wherein the DNA comprises 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleotides for enhanced nuclease resistance, binding affinity, and ability to activate RNase H; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,154 which describes RNA linked to a DNA to form a DNA-RNA hybrid.

E. Polyether and Peptide Nucleic Acids

In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that a nucleic acid comprising a derivative or analog of a nucleoside or nucleotide may be used in the methods and compositions of the invention. A non-limiting example is a “polyether nucleic acid”, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,845, incorporated herein by reference. In a polyether nucleic acid, one or more nucleobases are linked to chiral carbon atoms in a polyether backbone.

Another non-limiting example is a “peptide nucleic acid”, also known as a “PNA”, “peptide-based nucleic acid analog” or “PENAM”, described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,786,461, 5,891,625, 5,773,571, 5,766,855, 5,736,336, 5,719,262, 5,714,331, 5,539,082, and WO 92/20702, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Peptide nucleic acids generally have enhanced sequence specificity, binding properties, and resistance to enzymatic degradation in comparison to molecules such as DNA and RNA (Egholm et al., 1993; PCT/EP/01219). A peptide nucleic acid generally comprises one or more nucleotides or nucleosides that comprise a nucleobase moiety, a nucleobase linker moeity that is not a 5-carbon sugar, and/or a backbone moiety that is not a phosphate backbone moiety. Examples of nucleobase linker moieties described for PNAs include aza nitrogen atoms, amido and/or ureido tethers (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,082). Examples of backbone moieties described for PNAs include an aminoethylglycine, polyamide, polyethyl, polythioamide, polysulfinamide or polysulfonamide backbone moiety.

In certain embodiments, a nucleic acid analogue such as a peptide nucleic acid may be used to inhibit nucleic acid amplification, such as in PCR, to reduce false positives and discriminate between single base mutants, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,625. Other modifications and uses of nucleic acid analogs are known in the art, and are encompassed by the VLPT polynucleotide. In a non-limiting example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,461 describes PNAs with amino acid side chains attached to the PNA backbone to enhance solubility of the molecule. In another example, the cellular uptake property of PNAs is increased by attachment of a lipophilic group. U.S. application Ser. No. 117,363 describes several alkylamino moeities used to enhance cellular uptake of a PNA. Another example is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,766,855, 5,719,262, 5,714,331 and 5,736,336, which describe PNAs comprising naturally and non-naturally occurring nucleobases and alkylamine side chains that provide improvements in sequence specificity, solubility and/or binding affinity relative to a naturally occurring nucleic acid.

F. Preparation of Nucleic Acids

A nucleic acid may be made by any technique known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as for example, chemical synthesis, enzymatic production or biological production. Non-limiting examples of a synthetic nucleic acid (e.g., a synthetic oligonucleotide), include a nucleic acid made by in vitro chemically synthesis using phosphotriester, phosphite or phosphoramidite chemistry and solid phase techniques such as described in EP 266,032, incorporated herein by reference, or via deoxynucleoside H-phosphonate intermediates as described by Froehler et al., 1986 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,629, each incorporated herein by reference. In the methods of the present invention, one or more oligonucleotide may be used. Various different mechanisms of oligonucleotide synthesis have been disclosed in for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,659,774, 4,816,571, 5,141,813, 5,264,566, 4,959,463, 5,428,148, 5,554,744, 5,574,146, 5,602,244, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

A non-limiting example of an enzymatically produced nucleic acid include one produced by enzymes in amplification reactions such as PCR™ (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,195, each incorporated herein by reference), or the synthesis of an oligonucleotide described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,897, incorporated herein by reference. A non-limiting example of a biologically produced nucleic acid includes a recombinant nucleic acid produced (i.e., replicated) in a living cell, such as a recombinant DNA vector replicated in bacteria (see for example, Sambrook et al. 1989, incorporated herein by reference).

G. Purification of Nucleic Acids

A nucleic acid may be purified on polyacrylamide gels, cesium chloride centrifugation gradients, or by any other means known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, incorporated herein by reference).

In certain aspect, the present invention concerns a nucleic acid that is an isolated nucleic acid. As used herein, the term “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid molecule (e.g., an RNA or DNA molecule) that has been isolated free of, or is otherwise free of, the bulk of the total genomic and transcribed nucleic acids of one or more cells. In certain embodiments, “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid that has been isolated free of, or is otherwise free of, bulk of cellular components or in vitro reaction components such as for example, macromolecules such as lipids or proteins, small biological molecules, and the like.

H. Nucleic Acid Segments

In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid segment. As used herein, the term “nucleic acid segment,” are smaller fragments of a nucleic acid, such as for non-limiting example, those that encode only part of the peptide or polypeptide sequence. Thus, a “nucleic acid segment” may comprise any part of a gene sequence, of from about 2 nucleotides to the full length of the peptide or polypeptide encoding region.

Various nucleic acid segments may be designed based on a particular nucleic acid sequence, and may be of any length. By assigning numeric values to a sequence, for example, the first residue is 1, the second residue is 2, etc., an algorithm defining all nucleic acid segments can be generated: n to n+y

where n is an integer from 1 to the last number of the sequence and y is the length of the nucleic acid segment minus one, where n+y does not exceed the last number of the sequence. Thus, for a 10 mer, the nucleic acid segments correspond to bases 1 to 10, 2 to 11, 3 to 12 . . . and so on. For a 15-mer, the nucleic acid segments correspond to bases 1 to 15, 2 to 16, 3 to 17 . . . and so on. For a 20-mer, the nucleic segments correspond to bases 1 to 20, 2 to 21, 3 to 22 . . . and so on. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid segment may be a probe or primer. As used herein, a “probe” generally refers to a nucleic acid used in a detection method or composition. As used herein, a “primer” generally refers to a nucleic acid used in an extension or amplification method or composition.

I. Nucleic Acid Complements

The present invention also encompasses a nucleic acid that is complementary to one or more other nucleic acids. In specific embodiments, for example, a nucleic acid is employed for antisense or siRNA purposes, such as to inhibit at least partially expression of a polynucleotide.

In particular embodiments the invention encompasses a nucleic acid or a nucleic acid segment complementary to the sequence set forth herein, for example. A nucleic acid is “complement(s)” or is “complementary” to another nucleic acid when it is capable of base-pairing with another nucleic acid according to the standard Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reverse Hoogsteen binding complementarity rules. As used herein “another nucleic acid” may refer to a separate molecule or a spatial separated sequence of the same molecule.

As used herein, the term “complementary” or “complement(s)” also refers to a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of consecutive nucleobases or semiconsecutive nucleobases (e.g., one or more nucleobase moieties are not present in the molecule) capable of hybridizing to another nucleic acid strand or duplex even if less than all the nucleobases do not base pair with a counterpart nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a “complementary” nucleic acid comprises a sequence in which about 70%, about 71%, about 72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, to about 100%, and any range derivable therein, of the nucleobase sequence is capable of base-pairing with a single or double stranded nucleic acid molecule during hybridization. In certain embodiments, the term “complementary” refers to a nucleic acid that may hybridize to another nucleic acid strand or duplex in stringent conditions, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, a “partly complementary” nucleic acid comprises a sequence that may hybridize in low stringency conditions to a single or double stranded nucleic acid, or contains a sequence in which less than about 70% of the nucleobase sequence is capable of base-pairing with a single or double stranded nucleic acid molecule during hybridization.

J. Hybridization

As used herein, “hybridization”, “hybridizes” or “capable of hybridizing” is understood to mean the forming of a double or triple stranded molecule or a molecule with partial double or triple stranded nature. The term “anneal” as used herein is synonymous with “hybridize.” The term “hybridization”, “hybridize(s)” or “capable of hybridizing” encompasses the terms “stringent condition(s)” or “high stringency” and the terms “low stringency” or “low stringency condition(s).”

As used herein “stringent condition(s)” or “high stringency” are those conditions that allow hybridization between or within one or more nucleic acid strand(s) containing complementary sequence(s), but precludes hybridization of random sequences. Stringent conditions tolerate little, if any, mismatch between a nucleic acid and a target strand. Such conditions are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are preferred for applications requiring high selectivity. Non-limiting applications include isolating a nucleic acid, such as a gene or a nucleic acid segment thereof, or detecting at least one specific mRNA transcript or a nucleic acid segment thereof, and the like.

Stringent conditions may comprise low salt and/or high temperature conditions, such as provided by about 0.02 M to about 0.15 M NaCl, for example, at temperatures of about 50° C. to about 70° C. or, for example, wherein said stringent conditions are hybridization at 50-65° C., 5×SSPC, 50% formamide; wash 50-65° C., 5×SSPC; or wash at 60° C., 0.5×SSC, 0.1% SDS. It is understood that the temperature and ionic strength of a desired stringency are determined in part by the length of the particular nucleic acid(s), the length and nucleobase content of the target sequence(s), the charge composition of the nucleic acid(s), and to the presence or concentration of formamide, tetramethylammonium chloride or other solvent(s) in a hybridization mixture.

It is also understood that these ranges, compositions and conditions for hybridization are mentioned by way of non-limiting examples only, and that the desired stringency for a particular hybridization reaction is often determined empirically by comparison to one or more positive or negative controls. Depending on the application envisioned it is preferred to employ varying conditions of hybridization to achieve varying degrees of selectivity of a nucleic acid towards a target sequence. In a non-limiting example, identification or isolation of a related target nucleic acid that does not hybridize to a nucleic acid under stringent conditions may be achieved by hybridization at low temperature and/or high ionic strength. Such conditions are termed “low stringency” or “low stringency conditions”, and non-limiting examples of low stringency include hybridization performed at about 0.15 M to about 0.9 M NaCl at a temperature range of about 20° C. to about 50° C. Of course, it is within the skill of one in the art to further modify the low or high stringency conditions to suite a particular application.

V. Nucleic Acid-Based Expression Systems

In particular embodiments, the present invention concerns a polynucleotide that encodes an immunoreactive ehrlichiae polypeptide, and also includes delivering the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, or encoded product thereof, to an individual in need thereof, such as an individual infected with Erhlichia and/or an individual susceptible to being infected with Erhlichia. For the sake of brevity, the following section will refer to any E. chaffeensis VLPT nucleic acid compositions and/or nucleic acid-based expression system of the present invention.

The present invention is directed toward substantially pure and/or isolated DNA sequence encoding an immunoreactive Ehrlichia composition. Generally, the encoded protein comprises an N-terminal sequence, which may be cleaved after post-translational modification resulting in the production of mature protein.

It is well-known in the art that because of the degeneracy of the genetic code (i.e., for most amino acids, more than one nucleotide triplet (codon) codes for a single amino acid), different nucleotide sequences can code for a particular amino acid, or polypeptide. Thus, the polynucleotide sequences of the subject invention include any of the provided exemplary sequences or a degenerate variant of such a sequence, for example. In particular aspects of the invention, a degenerate variant comprises a sequence that is not identical to a sequence of the invention but that still retains one or more properties of a sequence of the invention.

As used herein, “substantially pure DNA” means DNA that is not part of a milieu in which the DNA naturally occurs, by virtue of separation (partial or total purification) of some or all of the molecules of that milieu, or by virtue of alteration of sequences that flank the claimed DNA. The term therefore includes, for example, a recombinant DNA which is incorporated into a vector, into an autonomously replicating plasmid or virus, or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote; or that exists as a separate molecule (e.g., a cDNA or a genomic or cDNA fragment produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or restriction endonuclease digestion) independent of other sequences. It also includes a recombinant DNA, which is part of a hybrid gene encoding additional polypeptide sequence, e.g., a fusion protein.

The present invention is further directed to an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding an immunoreactive Ehrlichia composition and capable of expressing the polynucleotide when the vector is introduced into a cell. In specific embodiments, the vector comprises in operable linkage the following: a) an origin of replication; b) a promoter; and c) a DNA sequence coding for the protein.

As used herein “vector” may be defined as a replicable nucleic acid construct, e.g., a plasmid or viral nucleic acid. Vectors may be used to amplify and/or express nucleic acid encoding an immunoreactive composition of Ehrlichia. An expression vector is a replicable construct in which a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide is operably linked to suitable control sequences capable of effecting expression of the polypeptide in a cell. The need for such control sequences will vary depending upon the cell selected and the transformation method chosen. Generally, control sequences include a transcriptional promoter and/or enhancer, suitable mRNA ribosomal binding sites, and sequences that control the termination of transcription and translation, for example. Methods that are well-known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors comprising appropriate transcriptional and translational control signals. See for example, the techniques described in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Ed.), Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y. A polynucleotide sequence to be expressed and its transcription control sequences are defined as being “operably linked” if the transcription control sequences effectively control the transcription of the polynucleotide sequence. Vectors of the invention include, but are not limited to, plasmid vectors and viral vectors. Preferred viral vectors of the invention are those derived from retroviruses, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, SV40 virus, or herpes viruses, for example.

In general, expression vectors comprise promoter sequences that facilitate the efficient transcription of the polynucleotide to be expressed, are used in connection with a host cell. As used herein, the term “host” is meant to include not only prokaryotes but also eukaryotes, such as yeast, plant and animal cells. A recombinant polynucleotide that encodes an immunoreactive composition of Ehrlichia of the present invention can be used to transform a host using any of the techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Prokaryotic hosts may include E. coli, S. tymphimurium, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus subtilis. Eukaryotic hosts include yeasts, such as Pichia pastoris, mammalian cells and insect cells.

The following description concerns exemplary elements, reagents, and methods for polynucleotides and nucleic acid delivery of an Ehrlichia polynucleotide.

A. Vectors

The term “vector” is used to refer to a carrier nucleic acid molecule into which a nucleic acid sequence can be inserted for introduction into a cell where it can be replicated. A nucleic acid sequence can be “exogenous,” which means that it is foreign to the cell into which the vector is being introduced or that the sequence is homologous to a sequence in the cell but in a position within the host cell nucleic acid in which the sequence is ordinarily not found. Vectors include plasmids, cosmids, viruses (bacteriophage, animal viruses, and plant viruses), and artificial chromosomes (e.g., YACs). One of skill in the art would be well equipped to construct a vector through standard recombinant techniques (see, for example, Maniatis et al., 1988 and Ausubel et al., 1994, both incorporated herein by reference).

The term “expression vector” refers to any type of genetic construct comprising a nucleic acid coding for a RNA capable of being transcribed. In some cases, RNA molecules are then translated into a protein, polypeptide, or peptide. In other cases, these sequences are not translated, for example, in the production of antisense molecules or ribozymes. Expression vectors can contain a variety of “control sequences,” which refer to nucleic acid sequences necessary for the transcription and possibly translation of an operably linked coding sequence in a particular host cell. In addition to control sequences that govern transcription and translation, vectors and expression vectors may contain nucleic acid sequences that serve other functions as well and are described infra.

1. Promoters and Enhancers

A “promoter” is a control sequence that is a region of a nucleic acid sequence at which initiation and rate of transcription are controlled. It may contain genetic elements at which regulatory proteins and molecules may bind, such as RNA polymerase and other transcription factors, to initiate the specific transcription a nucleic acid sequence. The phrases “operatively positioned,” “operatively linked,” “under control,” and “under transcriptional control” mean that a promoter is in a correct functional location and/or orientation in relation to a nucleic acid sequence to control transcriptional initiation and/or expression of that sequence.

A promoter generally comprises a sequence that functions to position the start site for RNA synthesis. The best known example of this is the TATA box, but in some promoters lacking a TATA box, such as, for example, the promoter for the mammalian terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase gene and the promoter for the SV40 late genes, a discrete element overlying the start site itself helps to fix the place of initiation. Additional promoter elements regulate the frequency of transcriptional initiation. Typically, these are located in the region 30 110 bp upstream of the start site, although a number of promoters have been shown to contain functional elements downstream of the start site as well. To bring a coding sequence “under the control of” a promoter, one positions the 5′ end of the transcription initiation site of the transcriptional reading frame “downstream” of (i.e., 3′ of) the chosen promoter. The “upstream” promoter stimulates transcription of the DNA and promotes expression of the encoded RNA.

The spacing between promoter elements frequently is flexible, so that promoter function is preserved when elements are inverted or moved relative to one another. In the tk promoter, the spacing between promoter elements can be increased to 50 bp apart before activity begins to decline. Depending on the promoter, it appears that individual elements can function either cooperatively or independently to activate transcription. A promoter may or may not be used in conjunction with an “enhancer,” which refers to a cis-acting regulatory sequence involved in the transcriptional activation of a nucleic acid sequence.

A promoter may be one naturally associated with a nucleic acid sequence, as may be obtained by isolating the 5′ non-coding sequences located upstream of the coding segment and/or exon. Such a promoter can be referred to as “endogenous.” Similarly, an enhancer may be one naturally associated with a nucleic acid sequence, located either downstream or upstream of that sequence. Alternatively, certain advantages will be gained by positioning the coding nucleic acid segment under the control of a recombinant or heterologous promoter, which refers to a promoter that is not normally associated with a nucleic acid sequence in its natural environment. A recombinant or heterologous enhancer refers also to an enhancer not normally associated with a nucleic acid sequence in its natural environment. Such promoters or enhancers may include promoters or enhancers of other genes, and promoters or enhancers isolated from any other virus, or prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, and promoters or enhancers not “naturally occurring,” i.e., containing different elements of different transcriptional regulatory regions, and/or mutations that alter expression. For example, promoters that are most commonly used in recombinant DNA construction include the beta lactamase (penicillinase), lactose and tryptophan (trp) promoter systems. In addition to producing nucleic acid sequences of promoters and enhancers synthetically, sequences may be produced using recombinant cloning and/or nucleic acid amplification technology, including PCR™, in connection with the compositions disclosed herein (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202 and 5,928,906, each incorporated herein by reference). Furthermore, it is contemplated the control sequences that direct transcription and/or expression of sequences within non-nuclear organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the like, can be employed as well.

Naturally, it will be important to employ a promoter and/or enhancer that effectively directs the expression of the DNA segment in the cell, organelle, cell type, tissue, organ, or organism chosen for expression. Those of skill in the art of molecular biology generally know the use of promoters, enhancers, and cell type combinations for protein expression, (see, for example Sambrook et al., 1989, incorporated herein by reference). The promoters employed may be constitutive, tissue-specific, inducible, and/or useful under the appropriate conditions to direct high level expression of the introduced DNA segment, such as is advantageous in the large-scale production of recombinant proteins and/or peptides. The promoter may be heterologous or endogenous.

The promoter may be one suitable for use in a prokaryotic cell, a eukaryotic cell, or both. Additionally any promoter/enhancer combination (as per, for example, the Eukaryotic Promoter Data Base EPDB) could also be used to drive expression. Use of a T3, T7 or SP6 cytoplasmic expression system is one possible embodiment.

2. Initiation Signals and Internal Ribosome Binding Sites

A specific initiation signal also may be required for efficient translation of coding sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon or adjacent sequences. Exogenous translational control signals, including the ATG initiation codon, may need to be provided. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily be capable of determining this and providing the necessary signals. It is well known that the initiation codon must be “in-frame” with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. The exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can be either natural or synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer elements.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the use of internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) elements are used to create multigene, or polycistronic, messages. IRES elements are able to bypass the ribosome scanning model of 5′ methylated Cap dependent translation and begin translation at internal sites (Pelletier and Sonenberg, 1988). IRES elements from two members of the picornavirus family (polio and encephalomyocarditis) have been described (Pelletier and Sonenberg, 1988), as well an IRES from a mammalian message (Macejak and Sarnow, 1991). IRES elements can be linked to heterologous open reading frames. Multiple open reading frames can be transcribed together, each separated by an IRES, creating polycistronic messages. By virtue of the IRES element, each open reading frame is accessible to ribosomes for efficient translation. Multiple genes can be efficiently expressed using a single promoter/enhancer to transcribe a single message (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,925,565 and 5,935,819, each herein incorporated by reference).

3. Multiple Cloning Sites

Vectors can include a multiple cloning site (MCS), which is a nucleic acid region that contains multiple restriction enzyme sites, any of which can be used in conjunction with standard recombinant technology to digest the vector (see, for example, Carbonelli et al., 1999, Levenson et al., 1998, and Cocea, 1997, incorporated herein by reference.) “Restriction enzyme digestion” refers to catalytic cleavage of a nucleic acid molecule with an enzyme that functions only at specific locations in a nucleic acid molecule. Many of these restriction enzymes are commercially available. Use of such enzymes is widely understood by those of skill in the art. Frequently, a vector is linearized or fragmented using a restriction enzyme that cuts within the MCS to enable exogenous sequences to be ligated to the vector. “Ligation” refers to the process of forming phosphodiester bonds between two nucleic acid fragments, which may or may not be contiguous with each other. Techniques involving restriction enzymes and ligation reactions are well known to those of skill in the art of recombinant technology.

4. Splicing Sites

Most transcribed eukaryotic RNA molecules will undergo RNA splicing to remove introns from the primary transcripts. Vectors containing genomic eukaryotic sequences may require donor and/or acceptor splicing sites to ensure proper processing of the transcript for protein expression (see, for example, Chandler et al., 1997, herein incorporated by reference.)

5. Termination Signals

The vectors or constructs of the present invention will generally comprise at least one termination signal. A “termination signal” or “terminator” is comprised of the DNA sequences involved in specific termination of an RNA transcript by an RNA polymerase. Thus, in certain embodiments a termination signal that ends the production of an RNA transcript is contemplated. A terminator may be necessary in vivo to achieve desirable message levels.

In eukaryotic systems, the terminator region may also comprise specific DNA sequences that permit site-specific cleavage of the new transcript so as to expose a polyadenylation site. This signals a specialized endogenous polymerase to add a stretch of about 200 A residues (polyA) to the 3′ end of the transcript. RNA molecules modified with this polyA tail appear to more stable and are translated more efficiently. Thus, in other embodiments involving eukaryotes, it is preferred that that terminator comprises a signal for the cleavage of the RNA, and it is more preferred that the terminator signal promotes polyadenylation of the message. The terminator and/or polyadenylation site elements can serve to enhance message levels and to minimize read through from the cassette into other sequences.

Terminators contemplated for use in the invention include any known terminator of transcription described herein or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to, for example, the termination sequences of genes, such as for example the bovine growth hormone terminator or viral termination sequences, such as for example the SV40 terminator. In certain embodiments, the termination signal may be a lack of transcribable or translatable sequence, such as due to a sequence truncation.

6. Polyadenylation Signals

In expression, particularly eukaryotic expression, one will typically include a polyadenylation signal to effect proper polyadenylation of the transcript. The nature of the polyadenylation signal is not believed to be crucial to the successful practice of the invention, and any such sequence may be employed. Preferred embodiments include the SV40 polyadenylation signal or the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal, convenient and known to function well in various target cells. Polyadenylation may increase the stability of the transcript or may facilitate cytoplasmic transport.

7. Origins of Replication

In order to propagate a vector in a host cell, it may contain one or more origins of replication sites (often termed “ori”), which is a specific nucleic acid sequence at which replication is initiated. Alternatively an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) can be employed if the host cell is yeast.

8. Selectable and Screenable Markers

In certain embodiments of the invention, cells containing a nucleic acid construct of the present invention may be identified in vitro or in vivo by including a marker in the expression vector. Such markers would confer an identifiable change to the cell permitting easy identification of cells containing the expression vector. Generally, a selectable marker is one that confers a property that allows for selection. A positive selectable marker is one in which the presence of the marker allows for its selection, while a negative selectable marker is one in which its presence prevents its selection. An example of a positive selectable marker is a drug resistance marker.

Usually the inclusion of a drug selection marker aids in the cloning and identification of transformants, for example, genes that confer resistance to neomycin, puromycin, hygromycin, DHFR, GPT, zeocin and histidinol are useful selectable markers. In addition to markers conferring a phenotype that allows for the discrimination of transformants based on the implementation of conditions, other types of markers including screenable markers such as GFP, whose basis is colorimetric analysis, are also contemplated. Alternatively, screenable enzymes such as herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) may be utilized. One of skill in the art would also know how to employ immunologic markers, possibly in conjunction with FACS analysis. The marker used is not believed to be important, so long as it is capable of being expressed simultaneously with the nucleic acid encoding a gene product. Further examples of selectable and screenable markers are well known to one of skill in the art.

9. Plasmid Vectors

In certain embodiments, a plasmid vector is contemplated for use to transform a host cell. In general, plasmid vectors containing replicon and control sequences which are derived from species compatible with the host cell are used in connection with these hosts. The vector ordinarily carries a replication site, as well as marking sequences which are capable of providing phenotypic selection in transformed cells. In a non-limiting example, E. coli is often transformed using derivatives of pBR322, a plasmid derived from an E. coli species. pBR322 contains genes for ampicillin and tetracycline resistance and thus provides easy means for identifying transformed cells. The pBR plasmid, or other microbial plasmid or phage must also contain, or be modified to contain, for example, promoters which can be used by the microbial organism for expression of its own proteins.

In addition, phage vectors containing replicon and control sequences that are compatible with the host microorganism can be used as transforming vectors in connection with these hosts. For example, the phage lambda GEM™ 11 may be utilized in making a recombinant phage vector which can be used to transform host cells, such as, for example, E. coli LE392.

Further useful plasmid vectors include pIN vectors (Inouye et al., 1985); and pGEX vectors, for use in generating glutathione S transferase (GST) soluble fusion proteins for later purification and separation or cleavage. Other suitable fusion proteins are those with beta galactosidase, ubiquitin, and the like.

Bacterial host cells, for example, E. coli, comprising the expression vector are grown in any of a number of suitable media, for example, LB. The expression of the recombinant protein in certain vectors may be induced, as would be understood by those of skill in the art, by contacting a host cell with an agent specific for certain promoters, e.g., by adding IPTG to the media or by switching incubation to a higher temperature. After culturing the bacteria for a further period, generally of between 2 and 24 h, the cells are collected by centrifugation and washed to remove residual media.

10. Viral Vectors

The ability of certain viruses to infect cells or enter cells via receptor mediated endocytosis, and to integrate into host cell genome and express viral genes stably and efficiently have made them attractive candidates for the transfer of foreign nucleic acids into cells (e.g., mammalian cells). Components of the present invention may comprise a viral vector that encode one or more compositions or other components such as, for example, an immunomodulator or adjuvant. Non-limiting examples of virus vectors that may be used to deliver a nucleic acid of the present invention are described below.

a. Adenoviral Vectors

A particular method for delivery of the nucleic acid involves the use of an adenovirus expression vector. Although adenovirus vectors are known to have a low capacity for integration into genomic DNA, this feature is counterbalanced by the high efficiency of gene transfer afforded by these vectors. “Adenovirus expression vector” is meant to include those constructs containing adenovirus sequences sufficient to (a) support packaging of the construct and (b) to ultimately express a tissue or cell specific construct that has been cloned therein. Knowledge of the genetic organization or adenovirus, a 36 kb, linear, double stranded DNA virus, allows substitution of large pieces of adenoviral DNA with foreign sequences up to 7 kb (Grunhaus and Horwitz, 1992).

b. AAV Vectors

The nucleic acid may be introduced into the cell using adenovirus assisted transfection. Increased transfection efficiencies have been reported in cell systems using adenovirus coupled systems (Kelleher and Vos, 1994; Cotten et al., 1992; Curiel, 1994). Adeno associated virus (AAV) is an attractive vector system for use in the compositions of the present invention as it has a high frequency of integration and it can infect nondividing cells, thus making it useful for delivery of genes into mammalian cells, for example, in tissue culture (Muzyczka, 1992) or in vivo. AAV has a broad host range for infectivity (Tratschin et al., 1984; Laughlin et al., 1986; Lebkowski et al., 1988; McLaughlin et al., 1988). Details concerning the generation and use of rAAV vectors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,139,941 and 4,797,368, each incorporated herein by reference.

c. Retroviral Vectors

Retroviruses have useful as delivery vectors due to their ability to integrate their genes into the host genome, transferring a large amount of foreign genetic material, infecting a broad spectrum of species and cell types and of being packaged in special cell lines (Miller, 1992).

In order to construct a retroviral vector, a nucleic acid (e.g., one encoding a composition of interest) is inserted into the viral genome in the place of certain viral sequences to produce a virus that is replication defective. In order to produce virions, a packaging cell line containing the gag, pol, and env genes but without the LTR and packaging components is constructed (Mann et al., 1983). When a recombinant plasmid containing a cDNA, together with the retroviral LTR and packaging sequences is introduced into a special cell line (e.g., by calcium phosphate precipitation for example), the packaging sequence allows the RNA transcript of the recombinant plasmid to be packaged into viral particles, which are then secreted into the culture media (Nicolas and Rubenstein, 1988; Temin, 1986; Mann et al., 1983). The media containing the recombinant retroviruses is then collected, optionally concentrated, and used for gene transfer. Retroviral vectors are able to infect a broad variety of cell types. However, integration and stable expression require the division of host cells (Paskind et al., 1975).

Lentiviruses are complex retroviruses, which, in addition to the common retroviral genes gag, pol, and env, contain other genes with regulatory or structural function. Lentiviral vectors are well known in the art (see, for example, Naldini et al., 1996; Zufferey et al., 1997; Blomer et al., 1997; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,516 and 5,994,136). Some examples of lentivirus include the Human Immunodeficiency Viruses: HIV-1, HIV-2 and the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: SIV. Lentiviral vectors have been generated by multiply attenuating the HIV virulence genes, for example, the genes env, vif, vpr, vpu and nef are deleted making the vector biologically safe.

Recombinant lentiviral vectors are capable of infecting non-dividing cells and can be used for both in vivo and ex vivo gene transfer and expression of nucleic acid sequences. For example, recombinant lentivirus capable of infecting a non-dividing cell wherein a suitable host cell is transfected with two or more vectors carrying the packaging functions, namely gag, pol and env, as well as rev and tat is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,136, incorporated herein by reference. One may target the recombinant virus by linkage of the envelope protein with an antibody or a particular ligand for targeting to a receptor of a particular cell-type. By inserting a sequence (including a regulatory region) of interest into the viral vector, along with another gene which encodes the ligand for a receptor on a specific target cell, for example, the vector is now target-specific.

d. Other Viral Vectors

Other viral vectors may be employed as vaccine constructs in the present invention. Vectors derived from viruses such as vaccinia virus (Ridgeway, 1988; Baichwal and Sugden, 1986; Coupar et al., 1988), sindbis virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus may be employed. They offer several attractive features for various mammalian cells (Friedmann, 1989; Ridgeway, 1988; Baichwal and Sugden, 1986; Coupar et al., 1988; Horwich et al., 1990).

e. Delivery Using Modified Viruses

A nucleic acid to be delivered may be housed within an infective virus that has been engineered to express a specific binding ligand. The virus particle will thus bind specifically to the cognate receptors of the target cell and deliver the contents to the cell. A novel approach designed to allow specific targeting of retrovirus vectors was developed based on the chemical modification of a retrovirus by the chemical addition of lactose residues to the viral envelope. This modification can permit the specific infection of hepatocytes via sialoglycoprotein receptors.

Another approach to targeting of recombinant retroviruses was designed in which biotinylated antibodies against a retroviral envelope protein and against a specific cell receptor were used. The antibodies were coupled via the biotin components by using streptavidin (Roux et al., 1989). Using antibodies against major histocompatibility complex class I and class II antigens, they demonstrated the infection of a variety of human cells that bore those surface antigens with an ecotropic virus in vitro (Roux et al., 1989).

11. Vector Delivery and Cell Transformation

Suitable methods for ehrlichial nucleic acid delivery for transformation of an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism for use with the current invention are believed to include virtually any method by which a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) can be introduced into an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism, as described herein or as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, direct delivery of DNA such as by ex vivo transfection (Wilson et al., 1989, Nabel et al, 1989), by injection (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,994,624, 5,981,274, 5,945,100, 5,780,448, 5,736,524, 5,702,932, 5,656,610, 5,589,466 and 5,580,859, each incorporated herein by reference), including microinjection (Harlan and Weintraub, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,215, incorporated herein by reference); by electroporation (U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,253, incorporated herein by reference; Tur-Kaspa et al., 1986; Potter et al., 1984); by calcium phosphate precipitation (Graham and Van Der Eb, 1973; Chen and Okayama, 1987; Rippe et al., 1990); by using DEAE dextran followed by polyethylene glycol (Gopal, 1985); by direct sonic loading (Fechheimer et al., 1987); by liposome mediated transfection (Nicolau and Sene, 1982; Fraley et al., 1979; Nicolau et al., 1987; Wong et al., 1980; Kaneda et al., 1989; Kato et al., 1991) and receptor-mediated transfection (Wu and Wu, 1987; Wu and Wu, 1988); by microprojectile bombardment (PCT Application Nos. WO 94/09699 and 95/06128; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,610,042; 5,322,783 5,563,055, 5,550,318, 5,538,877 and 5,538,880, and each incorporated herein by reference); by agitation with silicon carbide fibers (Kaeppler et al., 1990; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,302,523 and 5,464,765, each incorporated herein by reference); by Agrobacterium mediated transformation (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,616 and 5,563,055, each incorporated herein by reference); by PEG mediated transformation of protoplasts (Omirulleh et al., 1993; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,611 and 4,952,500, each incorporated herein by reference); by desiccation/inhibition mediated DNA uptake (Potrykus et al., 1985), and any combination of such methods. Through the application of techniques such as these, organelle(s), cell(s), tissue(s) or organism(s) may be stably or transiently transformed.

a. Ex Vivo Transformation

Methods for tranfecting vascular cells and tissues removed from an organism in an ex vivo setting are known to those of skill in the art. For example, cannine endothelial cells have been genetically altered by retrovial gene tranfer in vitro and transplanted into a canine (Wilson et al., 1989). In another example, yucatan minipig endothelial cells were tranfected by retrovirus in vitro and transplated into an artery using a double-ballonw catheter (Nabel et al., 1989). Thus, it is contemplated that cells or tissues may be removed and tranfected ex vivo using the nucleic acids of the present invention. In particular aspects, the transplanted cells or tissues may be placed into an organism. In preferred facets, a nucleic acid is expressed in the transplated cells or tissues.

b. Injection

In certain embodiments, a nucleic acid may be delivered to an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism via one or more injections (i.e., a needle injection), such as, for example, subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly, intervenously, intraperitoneally, etc. Methods of injection of vaccines are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., injection of a composition comprising a saline solution). Further embodiments of the present invention include the introduction of a nucleic acid by direct microinjection. Direct microinjection has been used to introduce nucleic acid constructs into Xenopus oocytes (Harland and Weintraub, 1985). The amount of composition used may vary upon the nature of the antigen as well as the organelle, cell, tissue or organism used

c. Electroporation

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a nucleic acid is introduced into an organelle, a cell, a tissue or an organism via electroporation. Electroporation involves the exposure of a suspension of cells and DNA to a high voltage electric discharge. In some variants of this method, certain cell wall degrading enzymes, such as pectin degrading enzymes, are employed to render the target recipient cells more susceptible to transformation by electroporation than untreated cells (U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,253, incorporated herein by reference). Alternatively, recipient cells can be made more susceptible to transformation by mechanical wounding.

Transfection of eukaryotic cells using electroporation has been quite successful. Mouse pre B lymphocytes have been transfected with human kappa immunoglobulin genes (Potter et al., 1984), and rat hepatocytes have been transfected with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (Tur Kaspa et al., 1986) in this manner.

To effect transformation by electroporation in cells such as, for example, plant cells, one may employ either friable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogenic callus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or other organized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partially degrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them to pectin degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wounding in a controlled manner. Examples of some species which have been transformed by electroporation of intact cells include maize (U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,253; Rhodes et al., 1995; D'Halluin et al., 1992), wheat (Zhou et al., 1993), tomato (Hou and Lin, 1996), soybean (Christou et al., 1987) and tobacco (Lee et al., 1989).

One also may employ protoplasts for electroporation transformation of plant cells (Bates, 1994; Lazzeri, 1995). For example, the generation of transgenic soybean plants by electroporation of cotyledon derived protoplasts is described by Dhir and Widholm in International Patent Application No. WO 9217598, incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of species for which protoplast transformation has been described include barley (Lazerri, 1995), sorghum (Battraw et al., 1991), maize (Bhattacharjee et al., 1997), wheat (He et al., 1994) and tomato (Tsukada, 1989).

d. Calcium Phosphate

In other embodiments of the present invention, a nucleic acid is introduced to the cells using calcium phosphate precipitation. Human KB cells have been transfected with adenovirus 5 DNA (Graham and Van Der Eb, 1973) using this technique. Also in this manner, mouse L(A9), mouse C127, CHO, CV 1, BHK, NIH3T3 and HeLa cells were transfected with a neomycin marker gene (Chen and Okayama, 1987), and rat hepatocytes were transfected with a variety of marker genes (Rippe et al., 1990).

e. DEAE Dextran

In another embodiment, a nucleic acid is delivered into a cell using DEAE dextran followed by polyethylene glycol. In this manner, reporter plasmids were introduced into mouse myeloma and erythroleukemia cells (Gopal, 1985).

f. Sonication Loading

Additional embodiments of the present invention include the introduction of a nucleic acid by direct sonic loading. LTK fibroblasts have been transfected with the thymidine kinase gene by sonication loading (Fechheimer et al., 1987).

g. Liposome-Mediated Transfection

In a further embodiment of the invention, an ehrlichial nucleic acid may be comprised with a lipid complex such as, for example, comprised in a liposome. Liposomes are vesicular structures characterized by a phospholipid bilayer membrane and an inner aqueous medium. Multilamellar liposomes have multiple lipid layers separated by aqueous medium. They form spontaneously when phospholipids are suspended in an excess of aqueous solution. The lipid components undergo self rearrangement before the formation of closed structures and entrap water and dissolved solutes between the lipid bilayers (Ghosh and Bachhawat, 1991). Also contemplated is an nucleic acid complexed with Lipofectamine (Gibco BRL) or Superfect (Qiagen).

Liposome-mediated nucleic acid delivery and expression of foreign DNA in vitro has been very successful (Nicolau and Sene, 1982; Fraley et al., 1979; Nicolau et al., 1987). The feasibility of liposome mediated delivery and expression of foreign DNA in cultured chick embryo, HeLa and hepatoma cells has also been demonstrated (Wong et al., 1980).

In certain embodiments of the invention, a liposome may be complexed with a hemagglutinating virus (HVJ). This has been shown to facilitate fusion with the cell membrane and promote cell entry of liposome encapsulated DNA (Kaneda et al., 1989). In other embodiments, a liposome may be complexed or employed in conjunction with nuclear non histone chromosomal proteins (HMG 1) (Kato et al., 1991). In yet further embodiments, a liposome may be complexed or employed in conjunction with both HVJ and HMG 1. In other embodiments, a delivery vehicle may comprise a ligand and a liposome.

h. Receptor-Mediated Transfection

Still further, a nucleic acid may be delivered to a target cell via receptor mediated delivery vehicles. These take advantage of the selective uptake of macromolecules by receptor-mediated endocytosis that will be occurring in a target cell. In view of the cell type specific distribution of various receptors, this delivery method adds another degree of specificity to the present invention.

Certain receptor mediated gene targeting vehicles comprise a cell receptor specific ligand and a nucleic acid binding agent. Others comprise a cell receptor specific ligand to which the nucleic acid to be delivered has been operatively attached. Several ligands have been used for receptor mediated gene transfer (Wu and Wu, 1987; Wagner et al., 1990; Perales et al., 1994; Myers, EPO 0273085), which establishes the operability of the technique. Specific delivery in the context of another mammalian cell type has been described (Wu and Wu, 1993; incorporated herein by reference). In certain aspects of the present invention, a ligand will be chosen to correspond to a receptor specifically expressed on the target cell population.

In other embodiments, a nucleic acid delivery vehicle component of a cell specific nucleic acid targeting vehicle may comprise a specific binding ligand in combination with a liposome. The nucleic acid(s) to be delivered are housed within the liposome and the specific binding ligand is functionally incorporated into the liposome membrane. The liposome will thus specifically bind to the receptor(s) of a target cell and deliver the contents to a cell. Such systems have been shown to be functional using systems in which, for example, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is used in the receptor mediated delivery of a nucleic acid to cells that exhibit upregulation of the EGF receptor.

In still further embodiments, the nucleic acid delivery vehicle component of a targeted delivery vehicle may be a liposome itself, which will preferably comprise one or more lipids or glycoproteins that direct cell specific binding. For example, lactosyl ceramide, a galactose terminal asialganglioside, have been incorporated into liposomes and observed an increase in the uptake of the insulin gene by hepatocytes (Nicolau et al., 1987). It is contemplated that the tissue specific transforming constructs of the present invention can be specifically delivered into a target cell in a similar manner.

i. Microprojectile Bombardment

Microprojectile bombardment techniques can be used to introduce a nucleic acid into at least one, organelle, cell, tissue or organism (U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,318; U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,880; U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,042; and PCT Application WO 94/09699; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). This method depends on the ability to accelerate DNA coated microprojectiles to a high velocity allowing them to pierce cell membranes and enter cells without killing them (Klein et al., 1987). There are a wide variety of microprojectile bombardment techniques known in the art, many of which are applicable to the invention.

Microprojectile bombardment may be used to transform various cell(s), tissue(s) or organism(s), such as for example any plant species. Examples of species which have been transformed by microprojectile bombardment include monocot species such as maize (PCT Application WO 95/06128), barley (Ritala et al., 1994; Hensgens et al., 1993), wheat (U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055, incorporated herein by reference), rice (Hensgens et al., 1993), oat (Torbet et al., 1995; Torbet et al., 1998), rye (Hensgens et al., 1993), sugarcane (Bower et al., 1992), and sorghum (Casas et al., 1993; Hagio et al., 1991); as well as a number of dicots including tobacco (Tomes et al., 1990; Buising and Benbow, 1994), soybean (U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,783, incorporated herein by reference), sunflower (Knittel et al. 1994), peanut (Singsit et al., 1997), cotton (McCabe and Martinell, 1993), tomato (VanEck et al. 1995), and legumes in general (U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055, incorporated herein by reference).

In this microprojectile bombardment, one or more particles may be coated with at least one nucleic acid and delivered into cells by a propelling force. Several devices for accelerating small particles have been developed. One such device relies on a high voltage discharge to generate an electrical current, which in turn provides the motive force (Yang et al., 1990). The microprojectiles used have consisted of biologically inert substances such as tungsten or gold particles or beads. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, platinum, and preferably, gold. It is contemplated that in some instances DNA precipitation onto metal particles would not be necessary for DNA delivery to a recipient cell using microprojectile bombardment. However, it is contemplated that particles may contain DNA rather than be coated with DNA. DNA coated particles may increase the level of DNA delivery via particle bombardment but are not, in and of themselves, necessary.

For the bombardment, cells in suspension are concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into a cell (e.g., a plant cell) by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a filter surface covered with cells, such as for example, a monocot plant cells cultured in suspension. The screen disperses the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. It is believed that a screen intervening between the projectile apparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of projectiles aggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of transformation by reducing the damage inflicted on the recipient cells by projectiles that are too large.

12. Host Cells

As used herein, the terms “cell,” “cell line,” and “cell culture” may be used interchangeably. All of these terms also include their progeny, which is any and all subsequent generations. It is understood that all progeny may not be identical due to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. In the context of expressing a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, “host cell” refers to a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, and it includes any transformable organism that is capable of replicating a vector and/or expressing a heterologous gene encoded by a vector. A host cell can, and has been, used as a recipient for vectors. A host cell may be “transfected” or “transformed,” which refers to a process by which exogenous nucleic acid is transferred or introduced into the host cell. A transformed cell includes the primary subject cell and its progeny. As used herein, the terms “engineered” and “recombinant” cells or host cells are intended to refer to a cell into which an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, such as, for example, a vector, has been introduced. Therefore, recombinant cells are distinguishable from naturally occurring cells which do not contain a recombinantly introduced nucleic acid.

In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that RNAs or proteinaceous sequences may be co-expressed with other selected RNAs or proteinaceous sequences in the same host cell. Co-expression may be achieved by co-transfecting the host cell with two or more distinct recombinant vectors. Alternatively, a single recombinant vector may be constructed to include multiple distinct coding regions for RNAs, which could then be expressed in host cells transfected with the single vector.

A tissue may comprise a host cell or cells to be transformed with a composition of the invention. The tissue may be part or separated from an organism. In certain embodiments, a tissue may comprise, but is not limited to, adipocytes, alveolar, ameloblasts, axon, basal cells, blood (e.g., lymphocytes), blood vessel, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cartilage, cervix, colon, cornea, embryonic, endometrium, endothelial, epithelial, esophagus, facia, fibroblast, follicular, ganglion cells, glial cells, goblet cells, kidney, liver, lung, lymph node, muscle, neuron, ovaries, pancreas, peripheral blood, prostate, skin, skin, small intestine, spleen, stem cells, stomach, testes, anthers, ascite tissue, cobs, ears, flowers, husks, kernels, leaves, meristematic cells, pollen, root tips, roots, silk, stalks, and all cancers thereof.

In certain embodiments, the host cell or tissue may be comprised in at least one organism. In certain embodiments, the organism may be, but is not limited to, a prokayote (e.g., a eubacteria, an archaea) or an eukaryote, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art (see, for example, webpage world wide web at phylogeny.arizona.edu/tree/phylogeny.html).

Numerous cell lines and cultures are available for use as a host cell, and they can be obtained through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), which is an organization that serves as an archive for living cultures and genetic materials (world wide web at atcc.org). An appropriate host can be determined by one of skill in the art based on the vector backbone and the desired result. A plasmid or cosmid, for example, can be introduced into a prokaryote host cell for replication of many vectors. Cell types available for vector replication and/or expression include, but are not limited to, bacteria, such as E. coli (e.g., E. coli strain RR1, E. coli LE392, E. coli B, E. coli X 1776 (ATCC No. 31537) as well as E. coli W3110 (F, lambda, prototrophic, ATCC No. 273325), DH5α, JM₁₀₉, and KC8, bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis; and other enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, various Pseudomonas specie, as well as a number of commercially available bacterial hosts such as SURE® Competent Cells and SOLOPACK Gold Cells (STRATAGENE®, La Jolla). In certain embodiments, bacterial cells such as E. coli LE392 are particularly contemplated as host cells for phage viruses.

Examples of eukaryotic host cells for replication and/or expression of a vector include, but are not limited to, HeLa, NIH3T3, Jurkat, 293, Cos, CHO, Saos, and PC12. Many host cells from various cell types and organisms are available and would be known to one of skill in the art. Similarly, a viral vector may be used in conjunction with either a eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cell, particularly one that is permissive for replication or expression of the vector.

Some vectors may employ control sequences that allow it to be replicated and/or expressed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. One of skill in the art would further understand the conditions under which to incubate all of the above described host cells to maintain them and to permit replication of a vector. Also understood and known are techniques and conditions that would allow large-scale production of vectors, as well as production of the nucleic acids encoded by vectors and their cognate polypeptides, proteins, or peptides.

13. Expression Systems

Numerous expression systems exist that comprise at least a part or all of the compositions discussed above. Prokaryote- and/or eukaryote-based systems can be employed for use with the present invention to produce nucleic acid sequences, or their cognate polypeptides, proteins and peptides. Many such systems are commercially and widely available.

The insect cell/baculovirus system can produce a high level of protein expression of a heterologous nucleic acid segment, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,871,986, 4,879,236, both herein incorporated by reference, and which can be bought, for example, under the name MAXBAC® 2.0 from INVITROGEN® and BACPACK™ BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION SYSTEM FROM CLONTECH®.

Other examples of expression systems include STRATAGENE®'s COMPLETE CONTROL Inducible Mammalian Expression System, which involves a synthetic ecdysone-inducible receptor, or its pET Expression System, an E. coli expression system. Another example of an inducible expression system is available from INVITROGEN®, which carries the T-REX™ (tetracycline-regulated expression) System, an inducible mammalian expression system that uses the full-length CMV promoter. INVITROGEN® also provides a yeast expression system called the Pichia methanolica Expression System, which is designed for high-level production of recombinant proteins in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia methanolica. One of skill in the art would know how to express a vector, such as an expression construct, to produce a nucleic acid sequence or its cognate polypeptide, protein, or peptide.

It is contemplated that the proteins, polypeptides or peptides produced by the methods of the invention may be “overexpressed”, i.e., expressed in increased levels relative to its natural expression in cells. Such overexpression may be assessed by a variety of methods, including radio labeling and/or protein purification. However, simple and direct methods are preferred, for example, those involving SDS/PAGE and protein staining or western blotting, followed by quantitative analyses, such as densitometric scanning of the resultant gel or blot. A specific increase in the level of the recombinant protein, polypeptide or peptide in comparison to the level in natural cells is indicative of overexpression, as is a relative abundance of the specific protein, polypeptides or peptides in relation to the other proteins produced by the host cell and, e.g., visible on a gel.

In some embodiments, the expressed proteinaceous sequence forms an inclusion body in the host cell, the host cells are lysed, for example, by disruption in a cell homogenizer, washed and/or centrifuged to separate the dense inclusion bodies and cell membranes from the soluble cell components. This centrifugation can be performed under conditions whereby the dense inclusion bodies are selectively enriched by incorporation of sugars, such as sucrose, into the buffer and centrifugation at a selective speed. Inclusion bodies may be solubilized in solutions containing high concentrations of urea (e.g. 8M) or chaotropic agents such as guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of reducing agents, such as beta mercaptoethanol or DTT (dithiothreitol), and refolded into a more desirable conformation, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

VI. Biological Functional Equivalents

As modifications and/or changes may be made in the structure of the polynucleotides and and/or proteins according to the present invention, while obtaining molecules having similar or improved characteristics, such biologically functional equivalents are also encompassed within the present invention.

A. Modified Polynucleotides and Polypeptides

The biological functional equivalent may comprise a polynucleotide that has been engineered to contain distinct sequences while at the same time retaining the capacity to encode the “wild-type” or standard protein. This can be accomplished to the degeneracy of the genetic code, i.e., the presence of multiple codons, which encode for the same amino acids. In one example, one of skill in the art may wish to introduce a restriction enzyme recognition sequence into a polynucleotide while not disturbing the ability of that polynucleotide to encode a protein.

In another example, a polynucleotide made be (and encode) a biological functional equivalent with more significant changes. Certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a protein structure without appreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures such as, for example, antigen-binding regions of antibodies, binding sites on substrate molecules, receptors, and such like. So-called “conservative” changes do not disrupt the biological activity of the protein, as the structural change is not one that impinges of the protein's ability to carry out its designed function. It is thus contemplated by the inventors that various changes may be made in the sequence of genes and proteins disclosed herein, while still fulfilling the goals of the present invention.

In terms of functional equivalents, it is well understood by the skilled artisan that, inherent in the definition of a “biologically functional equivalent” protein and/or polynucleotide, is the concept that there is a limit to the number of changes that may be made within a defined portion of the molecule while retaining a molecule with an acceptable level of equivalent biological activity. Biologically functional equivalents are thus defined herein as those proteins (and polynucleotides) in selected amino acids (or codons) may be substituted. Functional activity.

In general, the shorter the length of the molecule, the fewer changes that can be made within the molecule while retaining function. Longer domains may have an intermediate number of changes. The full-length protein will have the most tolerance for a larger number of changes. However, it must be appreciated that certain molecules or domains that are highly dependent upon their structure may tolerate little or no modification.

Amino acid substitutions are generally based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and/or the like. An analysis of the size, shape and/or type of the amino acid side-chain substituents reveals that arginine, lysine and/or histidine are all positively charged residues; that alanine, glycine and/or serine are all a similar size; and/or that phenylalanine, tryptophan and/or tyrosine all have a generally similar shape. Therefore, based upon these considerations, arginine, lysine and/or histidine; alanine, glycine and/or serine; and/or phenylalanine, tryptophan and/or tyrosine; are defined herein as biologically functional equivalents.

To effect more quantitative changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of their hydrophobicity and/or charge characteristics, these are: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8); phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1.9); alanine (+1.8); glycine (0.4); threonine (0.7); serine (0.8); tryptophan (0.9); tyrosine (1.3); proline (1.6); histidine (3.2); glutamate (3.5); glutamine (3.5); aspartate (3.5); asparagine (3.5); lysine (3.9); and/or arginine (4.5).

The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biological function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte & Doolittle, 1982, incorporated herein by reference). It is known that certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index and/or score and/or still retain a similar biological activity. In making changes based upon the hydropathic index, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and/or those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

It also is understood in the art that the substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity, particularly where the biological functional equivalent protein and/or peptide thereby created is intended for use in immunological embodiments, as in certain embodiments of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, incorporated herein by reference, states that the greatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as governed by the hydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with its immunogenicity and/or antigenicity, i.e., with a biological property of the protein.

As detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, the following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0±1); glutamate (+3.0±1); serine (+0.3); asparagine (+0.2); glutamine (+0.2); glycine (0); threonine (0.4); proline (−0.5±1); alanine (0.5); histidine (0.5); cysteine (1.0); methionine (1.3); valine (1.5); leucine (1.8); isoleucine (1.8); tyrosine (2.3); phenylalanine (2.5); tryptophan (3.4). In making changes based upon similar hydrophilicity values, the substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and/or those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

B. Altered Amino Acids

The present invention, in many aspects, relies on the synthesis of peptides and polypeptides in cyto, via transcription and translation of appropriate polynucleotides. These peptides and polypeptides will include the twenty “natural” amino acids, and post-translational modifications thereof. However, in vitro peptide synthesis permits the use of modified and/or unusual amino acids. Table 1 provides exemplary, but not limiting, modified and/or unusual amino acids

C. Mimetics

In addition to the biological functional equivalents discussed above, the present inventors also contemplate that structurally similar compounds may be formulated to mimic the key portions of peptide or polypeptides of the present invention. Such compounds, which may be termed peptidomimetics, may be used in the same manner as the peptides of the invention and, hence, also are functional equivalents.

Certain mimetics that mimic elements of protein secondary and tertiary structure are described in Johnson et al. (1993). The underlying rationale behind the use of peptide mimetics is that the peptide backbone of proteins exists chiefly to orient amino acid side chains in such a way as to facilitate molecular interactions, such as those of antibody and/or antigen. A peptide mimetic is thus designed to permit molecular interactions similar to the natural molecule.

Some successful applications of the peptide mimetic concept have focused on mimetics of β-turns within proteins, which are known to be highly antigenic. Likely β turn structure within a polypeptide can be predicted by computer-based algorithms, as discussed herein. Once the component amino acids of the turn are determined, mimetics can be constructed to achieve a similar spatial orientation of the essential elements of the amino acid side chains.

Other approaches have focused on the use of small, multidisulfide-containing proteins as attractive structural templates for producing biologically active conformations that mimic the binding sites of large proteins. Vita et al. (1998). A structural motif that appears to be evolutionarily conserved in certain toxins is small (30-40 amino acids), stable, and high permissive for mutation. This motif is composed of a beta sheet and an alpha helix bridged in the interior core by three disulfides.

Beta II turns have been mimicked successfully using cyclic L-pentapeptides and those with D-amino acids. Weisshoff et al. (1999). Also, Johannesson et al. (1999) report on bicyclic tripeptides with reverse turn inducing properties.

Methods for generating specific structures have been disclosed in the art. For example, alpha-helix mimetics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,446,128; 5,710,245; 5,840,833; and 5,859,184. Theses structures render the peptide or protein more thermally stable, also increase resistance to proteolytic degradation. Six, seven, eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen membered ring structures are disclosed.

Methods for generating conformationally restricted beta turns and beta bulges are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,440,013; 5,618,914; and 5,670,155. Beta-turns permit changed side substituents without having changes in corresponding backbone conformation, and have appropriate termini for incorporation into peptides by standard synthesis procedures. Other types of mimetic turns include reverse and gamma turns. Reverse turn mimetics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,085 and 5,929,237, and gamma turn mimetics are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,672,681 and 5,674,976.

VII. Immunological Compositions

In particular embodiments of the invention, immunological compositions are employed. For the sake of brevity, the following section will refer to any E. chaffeensis VLPT immunological compositions of the present invention, such as are described elsewhere herein as only exemplary embodiments. For example, the compositions may include all or part of an E. chaffeensis VLPT polypeptide, such as one comprising part or all of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, or SEQ ID NO:15, a VLPT polynucleotide, such as one comprising part or all of SEQ ID NO:16, an antibody to a polypeptide or peptide of the invention, or a mixture thereof, for example. Antibodies may be utilized to bind an antigen, thereby rendering the molecule at least partially ineffective for its activity, for example. In other embodiments, antibodies to the antigen are employed in diagnostic aspects of the invention, such as for detecting the presence of the antigen from a sample. Exemplary samples may be from an animal suspected of having E. canis or E. chaffeensis infection, from an animal susceptible to E. canis or E. chaffeensis infection, or from an animal that has an E. canis or E. chaffeensis infection. Exemplary samples may be obtained from blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, feces, cheek scrapings, nipple aspirate, and so forth.

Purified immunoreactive compositions or antigenic fragments of the immunoreactive compositions can be used to generate new antibodies or to test existing antibodies (e.g., as positive controls in a diagnostic assay) by employing standard protocols known to those skilled in the art.

As is well known in the art, immunogenicity to a particular immunogen can be enhanced by the use of non-specific stimulators of the immune response known as adjuvants. Exemplary and preferred adjuvants include complete BCG, Detox, (RIBI, Immunochem Research Inc.), ISCOMS and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (Superphos, Biosector).

Included in this invention are polyclonal antisera generated by using the immunoreactive composition or a fragment of the immunoreactive composition as an immunogen in, e.g., rabbits. Standard protocols for monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production known to those skilled in this art are employed. The monoclonal antibodies generated by this procedure can be screened for the ability to identify recombinant Ehrlichia cDNA clones, and to distinguish them from known cDNA clones, for example.

The invention encompasses not only an intact monoclonal antibody, but also an immunologically-active antibody fragment, e.g., a Fab or (Fab)2 fragment; an engineered single chain scFv molecule; or a chimeric molecule, e.g., an antibody which contains the binding specificity of one antibody, e.g., of murine origin, and the remaining portions of another antibody, e.g., of human origin.

In one embodiment, the antibody, or fragment thereof, may be linked to a toxin or to a detectable label, e.g. a radioactive label, non-radioactive isotopic label, fluorescent label, chemiluminescent label, paramagnetic label, enzyme label or colorimetric label. Examples of suitable toxins include diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, ricin, and cholera toxin. Examples of suitable enzyme labels include malate hydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-5-steroid isomerase, alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase, acetylcholinesterase, etc. Examples of suitable radioisotopic labels include ³H, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, etc.

Paramagnetic isotopes for purposes of in vivo diagnosis can also be used according to the methods of this invention. There are numerous examples of elements that are useful in magnetic resonance imaging. For discussions on in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, see, for example, Schaefer et al., (1989) JACC 14, 472-480; Shreve et al., (1986) Magn. Reson. Med. 3, 336-340; Wolf, G. L., (1984) Physiol. Chem. Phys. Med. NMR 16, 93-95; Wesby et al., (1984) Physiol. Chem. Phys. Med. NMR 16, 145-155; Runge et al., (1984) Invest. Radiol. 19, 408-415. Examples of suitable fluorescent labels include a fluorescein label, an isothiocyalate label, a rhodamine label, a phycoerythrin label, a phycocyanin label, an allophycocyanin label, an opthaldehyde label, a fluorescamine label, etc. Examples of chemiluminiscent labels include a luminal label, an isoluminal label, an aromatic acridinium ester label, a luciferin label, a luciferase label, an aequorin label, etc.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of these and other suitable labels, which may be employed in accordance with the present invention. The binding of these labels to antibodies or fragments thereof can be accomplished using standard techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical techniques are described by Kennedy et al., (1976) Clin. Chim. Acta 70, 1-31; and Schurs et al., (1977) Clin. Chim. Acta 81, 1-40. Coupling techniques mentioned in the later are the glutaraldehyde method, the periodate method, the dimaleimide method, the maleimidobenzyl-N-hydroxy-succinimde ester method. All of these methods are incorporated by reference herein.

D. Antibodies

In certain aspects of the invention, one or more antibodies may be produced to the expressed VLPT. These antibodies may be used in various diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications described herein.

As used herein, the term “antibody” is intended to refer broadly to any immunologic binding agent such as IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. Generally, IgG and/or IgM are preferred because they are the most common antibodies in the physiological situation and because they are most easily made in a laboratory setting.

The term “antibody” is used to refer to any antibody-like molecule that has an antigen binding region, and includes antibody fragments such as Fab′, Fab, F(ab′)2, single domain antibodies (DABs), Fv, scFv (single chain Fv), and the like. The techniques for preparing and using various antibody-based constructs and fragments are well known in the art. Means for preparing and characterizing antibodies are also well known in the art (See, e.g., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1988; incorporated herein by reference).

“Mini-antibodies” or “minibodies” are also contemplated for use with the present invention. Minibodies are sFv polypeptide chains which include oligomerization domains at their C-termini, separated from the sFv by a hinge region. Pack et al. (1992) Biochem 31:1579-1584. The oligomerization domain comprises self-associating α-helices, e.g., leucine zippers, that can be further stabilized by additional disulfide bonds. The oligomerization domain is designed to be compatible with vectorial folding across a membrane, a process thought to facilitate in vivo folding of the polypeptide into a functional binding protein. Generally, minibodies are produced using recombinant methods well known in the art. See, e.g., Pack et al. (1992) Biochem 31:1579-1584; Cumber et al. (1992) J Immunology 149B:120-126.

Antibody-like binding peptidomimetics are also contemplated in the present invention. Liu et al. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2003 March; 49(2):209-16 describe “antibody like binding peptidomimetics” (ABiPs), which are peptides that act as pared-down antibodies and have certain advantages of longer serum half-life as well as less cumbersome synthesis methods.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are recognized to have certain advantages, e.g., reproducibility and large-scale production, and their use is generally preferred. The invention thus provides monoclonal antibodies of the human, murine, monkey, rat, hamster, rabbit and even chicken origin. Due to the ease of preparation and ready availability of reagents, murine monoclonal antibodies will often be preferred.

However, “humanized” antibodies are also contemplated, as are chimeric antibodies from mouse, rat, or other species, bearing human constant and/or variable region domains, bispecific antibodies, recombinant and engineered antibodies and fragments thereof. As used herein, the term “humanized” immunoglobulin refers to an immunoglobulin comprising a human framework region and one or more CDR's from a non-human (usually a mouse or rat) immunoglobulin. The non-human immunoglobulin providing the CDR's is called the “donor” and the human immunoglobulin providing the framework is called the “acceptor”. A “humanized antibody” is an antibody comprising a humanized light chain and a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin.

E. Exemplary Methods for Generating Monoclonal Antibodies

Exemplary methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generally begin along the same lines as those for preparing polyclonal antibodies. Briefly, a polyclonal antibody is prepared by immunizing an animal with a LEE or CEE composition in accordance with the present invention and collecting antisera from that immunized animal.

A wide range of animal species can be used for the production of antisera. Typically the animal used for production of antisera is a rabbit, a mouse, a rat, a hamster, a guinea pig or a goat. The choice of animal may be decided upon the ease of manipulation, costs or the desired amount of sera, as would be known to one of skill in the art. Antibodies of the invention can also be produced transgenically through the generation of a mammal or plant that is transgenic for the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain sequences of interest and production of the antibody in a recoverable form therefrom. In connection with the transgenic production in mammals, antibodies can be produced in, and recovered from, the milk of goats, cows, or other mammals. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,827,690, 5,756,687, 5,750,172, and 5,741,957.

As is also well known in the art, the immunogenicity of a particular immunogen composition can be enhanced by the use of non-specific stimulators of the immune response, known as adjuvants. Suitable adjuvants include all acceptable immunostimulatory compounds, such as cytokines, chemokines, cofactors, toxins, plasmodia, synthetic compositions or LEEs or CEEs encoding such adjuvants.

Adjuvants that may be used include IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-12, γ-interferon, GMCSP, BCG, aluminum hydroxide, MDP compounds, such as thur-MDP and nor-MDP, CGP (MTP-PE), lipid A, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). RIBI, which contains three components extracted from bacteria, MPL, trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and cell wall skeleton (CWS) in a 2% squalene/TWEEN 80 emulsion is also contemplated. MHC antigens may even be used. Exemplary, often preferred adjuvants include complete Freund's adjuvant (a non-specific stimulator of the immune response containing killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis), incomplete Freund's adjuvants and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.

In addition to adjuvants, it may be desirable to coadminister biologic response modifiers (BRM), which have been shown to upregulate T cell immunity or downregulate suppressor cell activity. Such BRMs include, but are not limited to, Cimetidine (CIM; 1200 mg/d) (Smith/Kline, PA); low-dose Cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/m2) (Johnson/Mead, NJ), cytokines such as γ-interferon, IL-2, or IL-12 or genes encoding proteins involved in immune helper functions, such as B-7.

The amount of immunogen composition used in the production of polyclonal antibodies varies upon the nature of the immunogen as well as the animal used for immunization. A variety of routes can be used to administer the immunogen including but not limited to subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intraepidermal, intravenous and intraperitoneal. The production of polyclonal antibodies may be monitored by sampling blood of the immunized animal at various points following immunization.

A second, booster dose (e.g., provided in an injection), may also be given. The process of boosting and titering is repeated until a suitable titer is achieved. When a desired level of immunogenicity is obtained, the immunized animal can be bled and the serum isolated and stored, and/or the animal can be used to generate MAbs.

For production of rabbit polyclonal antibodies, the animal can be bled through an ear vein or alternatively by cardiac puncture. The removed blood is allowed to coagulate and then centrifuged to separate serum components from whole cells and blood clots. The serum may be used as is for various applications or else the desired antibody fraction may be purified by well-known methods, such as affinity chromatography using another antibody, a peptide bound to a solid matrix, or by using, e.g., protein A or protein G chromatography.

MAbs may be readily prepared through use of well-known techniques, such as those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,265, incorporated herein by reference. Typically, this technique involves immunizing a suitable animal with a selected immunogen composition, e.g., a purified or partially purified protein, polypeptide, peptide or domain, be it a wild-type or mutant composition. The immunizing composition is administered in a manner effective to stimulate antibody producing cells.

The methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generally begin along the same lines as those for preparing polyclonal antibodies. Rodents such as mice and rats are preferred animals, however, the use of rabbit, sheep or frog cells is also possible. The use of rats may provide certain advantages (Goding, 1986, pp. 60 61), but mice are preferred, with the BALB/c mouse being most preferred as this is most routinely used and generally gives a higher percentage of stable fusions.

The animals are injected with antigen, generally as described above. The antigen may be mixed with adjuvant, such as Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant. Booster administrations with the same antigen or DNA encoding the antigen would occur at approximately two-week intervals.

Following immunization, somatic cells with the potential for producing antibodies, specifically B lymphocytes (B cells), are selected for use in the MAb generating protocol. These cells may be obtained from biopsied spleens, tonsils or lymph nodes, or from a peripheral blood sample. Spleen cells and peripheral blood cells are preferred, the former because they are a rich source of antibody-producing cells that are in the dividing plasmablast stage, and the latter because peripheral blood is easily accessible.

Often, a panel of animals will have been immunized and the spleen of an animal with the highest antibody titer will be removed and the spleen lymphocytes obtained by homogenizing the spleen with a syringe. Typically, a spleen from an immunized mouse contains approximately 5×10⁷ to 2×10⁸ lymphocytes.

The antibody-producing B lymphocytes from the immunized animal are then fused with cells of an immortal myeloma cell, generally one of the same species as the animal that was immunized. Myeloma cell lines suited for use in hybridoma producing fusion procedures preferably are non antibody producing, have high fusion efficiency, and enzyme deficiencies that render then incapable of growing in certain selective media which support the growth of only the desired fused cells (hybridomas).

Any one of a number of myeloma cells may be used, as are known to those of skill in the art (Goding, pp. 65 66, 1986; Campbell, pp. 75 83, 1984). cites). For example, where the immunized animal is a mouse, one may use P3 X63/Ag8, X63 Ag8.653, NS1/1.Ag 4 1, Sp210 Ag14, FO, NSO/U, MPC 11, MPC11 X45 GTG 1.7 and S194/5XX0 Bul; for rats, one may use R210.RCY3, Y3 Ag 1.2.3, IR983F and 4B210; and U 266, GM1500 GRG2, LICR LON HMy2 and UC729 6 are all useful in connection with human cell fusions. See Yoo et al., J Immunol Methods. 2002 Mar. 1; 261(1-2):1-20, for a discussion of myeloma expression systems.

One preferred murine myeloma cell is the NS-1 myeloma cell line (also termed P3-NS-1-Ag4-1), which is readily available from the NIGMS Human Genetic Mutant Cell Repository by requesting cell line repository number GM3573. Another mouse myeloma cell line that may be used is the 8 azaguanine resistant mouse murine myeloma SP2/0 non producer cell line.

Methods for generating hybrids of antibody producing spleen or lymph node cells and myeloma cells usually comprise mixing somatic cells with myeloma cells in a 2:1 proportion, though the proportion may vary from about 20:1 to about 1:1, respectively, in the presence of an agent or agents (chemical or electrical) that promote the fusion of cell membranes. Fusion methods using Sendai virus have been described by Kohler and Milstein (1975; 1976), and those using polyethylene glycol (PEG), such as 37% (v/v) PEG, by Gefter et al., (1977). The use of electrically induced fusion methods is also appropriate (Goding pp. 71 74, 1986).

Fusion procedures usually produce viable hybrids at low frequencies, about 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻⁸. However, this does not pose a problem, as the viable, fused hybrids are differentiated from the parental, unfused cells (particularly the unfused myeloma cells that would normally continue to divide indefinitely) by culturing in a selective medium. The selective medium is generally one that contains an agent that blocks the de novo synthesis of nucleotides in the tissue culture media. Exemplary and preferred agents are aminopterin, methotrexate, and azaserine. Aminopterin and methotrexate block de novo synthesis of both purines and pyrimidines, whereas azaserine blocks only purine synthesis. Where aminopterin or methotrexate is used, the media is supplemented with hypoxanthine and thymidine as a source of nucleotides (HAT medium). Where azaserine is used, the media is supplemented with hypoxanthine.

The preferred selection medium is HAT. Only cells capable of operating nucleotide salvage pathways are able to survive in HAT medium. The myeloma cells are defective in key enzymes of the salvage pathway, e.g., hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), and they cannot survive. The B cells can operate this pathway, but they have a limited life span in culture and generally die within about two weeks. Therefore, the only cells that can survive in the selective media are those hybrids formed from myeloma and B cells.

This culturing provides a population of hybridomas from which specific hybridomas are selected. Typically, selection of hybridomas is performed by culturing the cells by single-clone dilution in microtiter plates, followed by testing the individual clonal supernatants (after about two to three weeks) for the desired reactivity. The assay should be sensitive, simple and rapid, such as radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoassays, cytotoxicity assays, plaque assays, dot immunobinding assays, and the like.

The selected hybridomas would then be serially diluted and cloned into individual antibody producing cell lines, which clones can then be propagated indefinitely to provide MAbs. The cell lines may be exploited for MAb production in two basic ways. First, a sample of the hybridoma can be injected (often into the peritoneal cavity) into a histocompatible animal of the type that was used to provide the somatic and myeloma cells for the original fusion (e.g., a syngeneic mouse). Optionally, the animals are primed with a hydrocarbon, especially oils such as pristane (tetramethylpentadecane) prior to injection. The injected animal develops tumors secreting the specific monoclonal antibody produced by the fused cell hybrid. The body fluids of the animal, such as serum or ascites fluid, can then be tapped to provide MAbs in high concentration. Second, the individual cell lines could be cultured in vitro, where the MAbs are naturally secreted into the culture medium from which they can be readily obtained in high concentrations.

Further, expression of antibodies of the invention (or other moieties therefrom) from production cell lines can be enhanced using a number of known techniques. For example, the glutamine synthetase and DHFR gene expression systems are common approaches for enhancing expression under certain conditions. High expressing cell clones can be identified using conventional techniques, such as limited dilution cloning and Microdrop technology. The GS system is discussed in whole or part in connection with European Patent Nos. 0 216 846, 0 256 055, and 0 323 997 and European Patent Application No. 89303964.4.

MAbs produced by either means may be further purified, if desired, using filtration, centrifugation and various chromatographic methods such as HPLC or affinity chromatography. Fragments of the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be obtained from the monoclonal antibodies so produced by methods which include digestion with enzymes, such as pepsin or papain, and/or by cleavage of disulfide bonds by chemical reduction. Alternatively, monoclonal antibody fragments encompassed by the present invention can be synthesized using an automated peptide synthesizer.

It is also contemplated that a molecular cloning approach may be used to generate monoclonals. In one embodiment, combinatorial immunoglobulin phagemid libraries are prepared from RNA isolated from the spleen of the immunized animal, and phagemids expressing appropriate antibodies are selected by panning using cells expressing the antigen and control cells. The advantages of this approach over conventional hybridoma techniques are that approximately 10⁴ times as many antibodies can be produced and screened in a single round, and that new specificities are generated by H and L chain combination which further increases the chance of finding appropriate antibodies. In another example, LEEs or CEEs can be used to produce antigens in vitro with a cell free system. These can be used as targets for scanning single chain antibody libraries. This would enable many different antibodies to be identified very quickly without the use of animals.

Another embodiment of the invention for producing antibodies according to the present invention is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,001, which describes methods to produce a cell expressing an antibody from a genomic sequence of the cell comprising a modified immunoglobulin locus using Cre-mediated site-specific recombination is disclosed. The method involves first transfecting an antibody-producing cell with a homology-targeting vector comprising a lox site and a targeting sequence homologous to a first DNA sequence adjacent to the region of the immunoglobulin loci of the genomic sequence which is to be converted to a modified region, so the first lox site is inserted into the genomic sequence via site-specific homologous recombination. Then the cell is transfected with a lox-targeting vector comprising a second lox site suitable for Cre-mediated recombination with the integrated lox site and a modifying sequence to convert the region of the immunoglobulin loci to the modified region. This conversion is performed by interacting the lox sites with Cre in vivo, so that the modifying sequence inserts into the genomic sequence via Cre-mediated site-specific recombination of the lox sites.

Alternatively, monoclonal antibody fragments encompassed by the present invention can be synthesized using an automated peptide synthesizer, or by expression of full-length gene or of gene fragments in E. coli.

F. Antibody Conjugates

The present invention further provides antibodies against VLPT proteins, polypeptides and peptides, generally of the monoclonal type, that are linked to at least one agent to form an antibody conjugate. In order to increase the efficacy of antibody molecules as diagnostic or therapeutic agents, it is conventional to link or covalently bind or complex at least one desired molecule or moiety. Such a molecule or moiety may be, but is not limited to, at least one effector or reporter molecule. Effector molecules comprise molecules having a desired activity, e.g., cytotoxic activity. Non-limiting examples of effector molecules which have been attached to antibodies include toxins, anti-tumor agents, therapeutic enzymes, radio-labeled nucleotides, antiviral agents, chelating agents, cytokines, growth factors, and oligo- or poly-nucleotides. By contrast, a reporter molecule is defined as any moiety which may be detected using an assay. Non-limiting examples of reporter molecules which have been conjugated to antibodies include enzymes, radiolabels, haptens, fluorescent labels, phosphorescent molecules, chemiluminescent molecules, chromophores, luminescent molecules, photoaffinity molecules, colored particles or ligands, such as biotin.

Any antibody of sufficient selectivity, specificity or affinity may be employed as the basis for an antibody conjugate. Such properties may be evaluated using conventional immunological screening methodology known to those of skill in the art. Sites for binding to biological active molecules in the antibody molecule, in addition to the canonical antigen binding sites, include sites that reside in the variable domain that can bind pathogens, B-cell superantigens, the T cell co-receptor CD4 and the HIV-1 envelope (Sasso et al., 1989; Shorki et al., 1991; Silvermann et al., 1995; Cleary et al., 1994; Lenert et al., 1990; Berberian et al., 1993; Kreier et al., 1991). In addition, the variable domain is involved in antibody self-binding (Kang et al., 1988), and contains epitopes (idiotopes) recognized by anti-antibodies (Kohler et al., 1989).

Certain examples of antibody conjugates are those conjugates in which the antibody is linked to a detectable label. “Detectable labels” are compounds and/or elements that can be detected due to their specific functional properties, and/or chemical characteristics, the use of which allows the antibody to which they are attached to be detected, and/or further quantified if desired. Another such example is the formation of a conjugate comprising an antibody linked to a cytotoxic or anti cellular agent, and may be termed “immunotoxins”.

Antibody conjugates are generally preferred for use as diagnostic agents. Antibody diagnostics generally fall within two classes, those for use in in vitro diagnostics, such as in a variety of immunoassays, and/or those for use in vivo diagnostic protocols, generally known as “antibody directed imaging”.

Many appropriate imaging agents are known in the art, as are methods for their attachment to antibodies (see, for e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,021,236; 4,938,948; and 4,472,509, each incorporated herein by reference). The imaging moieties used can be paramagnetic ions; radioactive isotopes; fluorochromes; NMR-detectable substances; X-ray imaging.

In the case of paramagnetic ions, one might mention by way of example ions such as chromium (III), manganese (II), iron (III), iron (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), copper (II), neodymium (III), samarium (III), ytterbium (III), gadolinium (III), vanadium (II), terbium (III), dysprosium (III), holmium (III) and/or erbium (III), with gadolinium being particularly preferred. Ions useful in other contexts, such as X-ray imaging, include but are not limited to lanthanum (III), gold (III), lead (II), and especially bismuth (III).

In the case of radioactive isotopes for therapeutic and/or diagnostic application, one might mention astatine²¹¹, ¹⁴carbon, ⁵¹chromium, ³⁶chlorine, ⁵⁷cobalt, ⁵⁸cobalt, copper⁶⁷, ¹⁵²Eu, gallium⁶⁷, ³hydrogen, iodine¹²³, iodine¹²⁵, iodine¹³¹, indium¹¹¹, ⁵⁹iron, ³²phosphorus, rhenium186, rhenium188, ⁷⁵selenium, ³⁵ sulphur, technicium99m and/or yttrium⁹⁰. ¹²⁵I is often being preferred for use in certain embodiments, and technicium^(99m) and/or indium¹¹¹ are also often preferred due to their low energy and suitability for long range detection. Radioactively labeled monoclonal antibodies of the present invention may be produced according to well-known methods in the art. For instance, monoclonal antibodies can be iodinated by contact with sodium and/or potassium iodide and a chemical oxidizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite, or an enzymatic oxidizing agent, such as lactoperoxidase. Monoclonal antibodies according to the invention may be labeled with technetium by ligand exchange process, for example, by reducing pertechnate with stannous solution, chelating the reduced technetium onto a Sephadex column and applying the antibody to this column. Alternatively, direct labeling techniques may be used, e.g., by incubating pertechnate, a reducing agent such as SNCl₂, a buffer solution such as sodium-potassium phthalate solution, and the antibody. Intermediary functional groups which are often used to bind radioisotopes which exist as metallic ions to antibody are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylene diaminetetracetic acid (EDTA).

Among the fluorescent labels contemplated for use as conjugates include ALEXA 350, ALEXA 430, AMCA, BODIPY 630/650, BODIPY 650/665, BODIPY-FL, BODIPY-R6G, BODIPY-TMR, BODIPY-TRX, Cascade Blue, Cy3, Cy5,6-FAM, Fluorescein Isothiocyanate, HEX, 6-JOE, Oregon Green 488, Oregon Green 500, Oregon Green 514, Pacific Blue, REG, Rhodamine Green, Rhodamine Red, Renographin, ROX, TAMRA, TET, Tetramethylrhodamine, and/or Texas Red.

Another type of antibody conjugates contemplated in the present invention are those intended primarily for use in vitro, where the antibody is linked to a secondary binding ligand and/or to an enzyme (an enzyme tag) that will generate a colored product upon contact with a chromogenic substrate. Examples of suitable enzymes include urease, alkaline phosphatase, (horseradish) hydrogen peroxidase or glucose oxidase. Preferred secondary binding ligands are biotin and/or avidin and streptavidin compounds. The use of such labels is well known to those of skill in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241; each incorporated herein by reference.

Yet another known method of site-specific attachment of molecules to antibodies comprises the reaction of antibodies with hapten-based affinity labels. Essentially, hapten-based affinity labels react with amino acids in the antigen binding site, thereby destroying this site and blocking specific antigen reaction. However, this may not be advantageous since it results in loss of antigen binding by the antibody conjugate.

Molecules containing azido groups may also be used to form covalent bonds to proteins through reactive nitrene intermediates that are generated by low intensity ultraviolet light (Potter & Haley, 1983). In particular, 2- and 8-azido analogues of purine nucleotides have been used as site-directed photoprobes to identify nucleotide binding proteins in crude cell extracts (Owens & Haley, 1987; Atherton et al., 1985). The 2- and 8-azido nucleotides have also been used to map nucleotide binding domains of purified proteins (Khatoon et al., 1989; King et al., 1989; and Dholakia et al., 1989) and may be used as antibody binding agents.

Several methods are known in the art for the attachment or conjugation of an antibody to its conjugate moiety. Some attachment methods involve the use of a metal chelate complex employing, for example, an organic chelating agent such a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid anhydride (DTPA); ethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid; N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide; and/or tetrachloro-3α-6α-diphenylglycouril-3 attached to the antibody (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,472,509 and 4,938,948, each incorporated herein by reference). Monoclonal antibodies may also be reacted with an enzyme in the presence of a coupling agent such as glutaraldehyde or periodate. Conjugates with fluorescein markers are prepared in the presence of these coupling agents or by reaction with an isothiocyanate. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,948, imaging of breast tumors is achieved using monoclonal antibodies and the detectable imaging moieties are bound to the antibody using linkers such as methyl-p-hydroxybenzimidate or N-succinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

In other embodiments, derivatization of immunoglobulins by selectively introducing sulfhydryl groups in the Fc region of an immunoglobulin, using reaction conditions that do not alter the antibody combining site are contemplated. Antibody conjugates produced according to this methodology are disclosed to exhibit improved longevity, specificity and sensitivity (U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,066, incorporated herein by reference). Site-specific attachment of effector or reporter molecules, wherein the reporter or effector molecule is conjugated to a carbohydrate residue in the Fc region have also been disclosed in the literature (O'Shannessy et al., 1987). This approach has been reported to produce diagnostically and therapeutically promising antibodies which are currently in clinical evaluation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-VLPT antibodies are linked to semiconductor nanocrystals such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,048,616; 5,990,479; 5,690,807; 5,505,928; 5,262,357 (all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties); as well as PCT Publication No. 99/26299 (published May 27, 1999). In particular, exemplary materials for use as semiconductor nanocrystals in the biological and chemical assays of the present invention include, but are not limited to those described above, including group II-VI, III-V and group IV semiconductors such as ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdS, CdSe, CdTe, MgS, MgSe, MgTe, CaS, CaSe, CaTe, SrS, SrSe, SrTe, BaS, BaSe, BaTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, InSb, AlS, AlP, AlSb, PbS, PbSe, Ge and Si and ternary and quaternary mixtures thereof. Methods for linking semiconductor nanocrystals to antibodies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,630,307 and 6,274,323.

G. Immunodetection Methods

In still further embodiments, the present invention concerns immunodetection methods for binding, purifying, removing, quantifying and/or otherwise generally detecting biological components such as immunoreactive polypeptides. The antibodies prepared in accordance with the present invention may be employed to detect wild type and/or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides. The use of wild-type and/or mutant antibodies is contemplated. Some immunodetection methods include enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunoradiometric assay, fluoroimmunoassay, chemiluminescent assay, bioluminescent assay, and Western blot to mention a few. The steps of various useful immunodetection methods have been described in the scientific literature, such as, e.g., Doolittle M H and Ben-Zeev O, 1999; Gulbis B and Galand P, 1993; De Jager R et al., 1993; and Nakamura et al., 1987, each incorporated herein by reference.

In general, the immunobinding methods include obtaining a sample suspected of comprising protein, polypeptide and/or peptide, and contacting the sample with a first anti-VLPT antibody in accordance with the present invention, as the case may be, under conditions effective to allow the formation of immunocomplexes.

These methods include methods for purifying wild type and/or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides as may be employed in purifying wild type and/or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides from patients' samples and/or for purifying recombinantly expressed wild type or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides. In these instances, the antibody removes the antigenic wild type and/or mutant protein, polypeptide and/or peptide component from a sample. The antibody will preferably be linked to a solid support, such as in the form of a column matrix, and the sample suspected of containing the wild type or mutant protein antigenic component will be applied to the immobilized antibody. The unwanted components will be washed from the column, leaving the antigen immunocomplexed to the immobilized antibody, which wild type or mutant protein antigen is then collected by removing the wild type or mutant protein and/or peptide from the column.

The immunobinding methods also include methods for detecting and quantifying the amount of a wild type or mutant protein reactive component in a sample and the detection and quantification of any immune complexes formed during the binding process. Here, one would obtain a sample suspected of comprising a wild type or mutant protein and/or peptide or suspected of comprising an E. canis organism, and contact the sample with an antibody against wild type or mutant, and then detect and quantify the amount of immune complexes formed under the specific conditions.

In terms of antigen detection, the biological sample analyzed may be any sample that is suspected of containing a wild type or mutant protein-specific antigen, such as a specimen, a homogenized tissue extract, a cell, separated and/or purified forms of any of the above wild type or mutant protein-containing compositions, or even any biological fluid that comes into contact with an E. canis organism upon infection.

Contacting the chosen biological sample with the antibody under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of immune complexes (primary immune complexes) is generally a matter of simply adding the antibody composition to the sample and incubating the mixture for a period of time long enough for the antibodies to form immune complexes with, i.e., to bind to, any protein antigens present. After this time, the sample-antibody composition, such as a tissue section, ELISA plate, dot blot or western blot, will generally be washed to remove any non-specifically bound antibody species, allowing only those antibodies specifically bound within the primary immune complexes to be detected.

In general, the detection of immunocomplex formation is well known in the art and may be achieved through the application of numerous approaches. These methods are generally based upon the detection of a label or marker, such as any of those radioactive, fluorescent, biological and enzymatic tags. U.S. Patents concerning the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241, each incorporated herein by reference. Of course, one may find additional advantages through the use of a secondary binding ligand such as a second antibody and/or a biotin/avidin ligand binding arrangement, as is known in the art.

The antibody employed in the detection may itself be linked to a detectable label, wherein one would then simply detect this label, thereby allowing the amount of the primary immune complexes in the composition to be determined. Alternatively, the first antibody that becomes bound within the primary immune complexes may be detected by means of a second binding ligand that has binding affinity for the antibody. In these cases, the second binding ligand may be linked to a detectable label. The second binding ligand is itself often an antibody, which may thus be termed a “secondary” antibody. The primary immune complexes are contacted with the labeled, secondary binding ligand, or antibody, under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of secondary immune complexes. The secondary immune complexes are then generally washed to remove any non-specifically bound labeled secondary antibodies or ligands, and the remaining label in the secondary immune complexes is then detected.

Further methods include the detection of primary immune complexes by a two step approach. A second binding ligand, such as an antibody, that has binding affinity for the antibody is used to form secondary immune complexes, as described above. After washing, the secondary immune complexes are contacted with a third binding ligand or antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody, again under effective conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of immune complexes (tertiary immune complexes). The third ligand or antibody is linked to a detectable label, allowing detection of the tertiary immune complexes thus formed. This system may provide for signal amplification if this is desired.

One method of immunodetection uses two different antibodies. A first step biotinylated, monoclonal or polyclonal antibody is used to detect the target antigen(s), and a second step antibody is then used to detect the biotin attached to the complexed biotin. In that method the sample to be tested is first incubated in a solution containing the first step antibody. If the target antigen is present, some of the antibody binds to the antigen to form a biotinylated antibody/antigen complex. The antibody/antigen complex is then amplified by incubation in successive solutions of streptavidin (or avidin), biotinylated DNA, and/or complementary biotinylated DNA, with each step adding additional biotin sites to the antibody/antigen complex. The amplification steps are repeated until a suitable level of amplification is achieved, at which point the sample is incubated in a solution containing the second step antibody against biotin. This second step antibody is labeled, as for example with an enzyme that can be used to detect the presence of the antibody/antigen complex by histoenzymology using a chromogen substrate. With suitable amplification, a conjugate can be produced which is macroscopically visible.

Another known method of immunodetection takes advantage of the immuno-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) methodology. The PCR method is similar to the Cantor method up to the incubation with biotinylated DNA, however, instead of using multiple rounds of streptavidin and biotinylated DNA incubation, the DNA/biotin/streptavidin/antibody complex is washed out with a low pH or high salt buffer that releases the antibody. The resulting wash solution is then used to carry out a PCR reaction with suitable primers with appropriate controls. At least in theory, the enormous amplification capability and specificity of PCR can be utilized to detect a single antigen molecule.

The immunodetection methods of the present invention have evident utility in the diagnosis and prognosis of conditions such as various forms of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer, including leukemia, for example. Here, a biological and/or clinical sample suspected of containing a wild type or mutant protein, polypeptide, peptide and/or mutant is used. However, these embodiments also have applications to non-clinical samples, such as in the titering of antigen or antibody samples, for example in the selection of hybridomas.

H. ELISAs

As detailed above, immunoassays, in their most simple and/or direct sense, are binding assays. Certain preferred immunoassays are the various types of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and/or radioimmunoassays (RIA) known in the art. Immunohistochemical detection using tissue sections is also particularly useful. However, it will be readily appreciated that detection is not limited to such techniques, and/or western blotting, dot blotting, FACS analyses, and/or the like may also be used.

In one exemplary ELISA, the antibodies of the invention are immobilized onto a selected surface exhibiting protein affinity, such as a well in a polystyrene microtiter plate. Then, a test composition suspected of containing the wild type and/or mutant protein antigen, such as a clinical sample, is added to the wells. After binding and/or washing to remove non-specifically bound immune complexes, the bound wild type and/or mutant protein antigen may be detected. Detection is generally achieved by the addition of another antibody that is linked to a detectable label. This type of ELISA is a simple “sandwich ELISA”. Detection may also be achieved by the addition of a second antibody, followed by the addition of a third antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody, with the third antibody being linked to a detectable label.

In another exemplary ELISA, the samples suspected of containing the wild type and/or mutant protein antigen are immobilized onto the well surface and/or then contacted with the antibodies of the invention. After binding and/or washing to remove non-specifically bound immune complexes, the bound antibodies are detected. Where the initial antibodies are linked to a detectable label, the immune complexes may be detected directly. Again, the immune complexes may be detected using a second antibody that has binding affinity for the first antibody, with the second antibody being linked to a detectable label.

Another ELISA in which the wild type and/or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides are immobilized, involves the use of antibody competition in the detection. In this ELISA, labeled antibodies against wild type or mutant protein are added to the wells, allowed to bind, and/or detected by means of their label. The amount of wild type or mutant protein antigen in an unknown sample is then determined by mixing the sample with the labeled antibodies against wild type and/or mutant before and/or during incubation with coated wells. The presence of wild type and/or mutant protein in the sample acts to reduce the amount of antibody against wild type or mutant protein available for binding to the well and thus reduces the ultimate signal. This is also appropriate for detecting antibodies against wild type or mutant protein in an unknown sample, where the unlabeled antibodies bind to the antigen-coated wells and also reduces the amount of antigen available to bind the labeled antibodies.

Irrespective of the format employed, ELISAs have certain features in common, such as coating, incubating and binding, washing to remove non-specifically bound species, and detecting the bound immune complexes. These are described below.

In coating a plate with either antigen or antibody, one will generally incubate the wells of the plate with a solution of the antigen or antibody, either overnight or for a specified period of hours. The wells of the plate will then be washed to remove incompletely adsorbed material. Any remaining available surfaces of the wells are then “coated” with a nonspecific protein that is antigenically neutral with regard to the test antisera. These include bovine serum albumin (BSA), casein or solutions of milk powder. The coating allows for blocking of nonspecific adsorption sites on the immobilizing surface and thus reduces the background caused by nonspecific binding of antisera onto the surface.

In ELISAs, it is probably more customary to use a secondary or tertiary detection means rather than a direct procedure. Thus, after binding of a protein or antibody to the well, coating with a non-reactive material to reduce background, and washing to remove unbound material, the immobilizing surface is contacted with the biological sample to be tested under conditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation. Detection of the immune complex then requires a labeled secondary binding ligand or antibody, and a secondary binding ligand or antibody in conjunction with a labeled tertiary antibody or a third binding ligand.

“Under conditions effective to allow immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation” means that the conditions preferably include diluting the antigens and/or antibodies with solutions such as BSA, bovine gamma globulin (BGG) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/TWEEN. These added agents also tend to assist in the reduction of nonspecific background.

The “suitable” conditions also mean that the incubation is at a temperature or for a period of time sufficient to allow effective binding. Incubation steps are typically from about 1 to 2 to 4 hours or so, at temperatures preferably on the order of 25° C. to 27° C., or may be overnight at about 4° C. or so.

Following all incubation steps in an ELISA, the contacted surface is washed so as to remove non-complexed material. A preferred washing procedure includes washing with a solution such as PBS/TWEEN, or borate buffer. Following the formation of specific immune complexes between the test sample and the originally bound material, and subsequent washing, the occurrence of even minute amounts of immune complexes may be determined.

To provide a detecting means, the second or third antibody will have an associated label to allow detection. Preferably, this will be an enzyme that will generate color development upon incubating with an appropriate chromogenic substrate. Thus, for example, one will desire to contact or incubate the first and second immune complex with a urease, glucose oxidase, alkaline phosphatase or hydrogen peroxidase-conjugated antibody for a period of time and under conditions that favor the development of further immune complex formation (e.g., incubation for 2 hours at room temperature in a PBS-containing solution such as PBS-TWEEN).

After incubation with the labeled antibody, and subsequent to washing to remove unbound material, the amount of label is quantified, e.g., by incubation with a chromogenic substrate such as urea, or bromocresol purple, or 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), or H₂O₂, in the case of peroxidase as the enzyme label. Quantification is then achieved by measuring the degree of color generated, e.g., using a visible spectra spectrophotometer.

I. Immunohistochemistry

The antibodies of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with both fresh-frozen and/or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks prepared for study by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The method of preparing tissue blocks from these particulate specimens has been successfully used in previous IHC studies of various prognostic factors, and/or is well known to those of skill in the art (Brown et al., 1990; Abbondanzo et al., 1990; Allred et al., 1990).

Briefly, frozen-sections may be prepared by rehydrating 50 ng of frozen “pulverized” tissue at room temperature in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in small plastic capsules; pelleting the particles by centrifugation; resuspending them in a viscous embedding medium (OCT); inverting the capsule and/or pelleting again by centrifugation; snap-freezing in 70° C. isopentane; cutting the plastic capsule and/or removing the frozen cylinder of tissue; securing the tissue cylinder on a cryostat microtome chuck; and/or cutting 25-50 serial sections.

Permanent-sections may be prepared by a similar method involving rehydration of the 50 mg sample in a plastic microfuge tube; pelleting; resuspending in 10% formalin for 4 hours fixation; washing/pelleting; resuspending in warm 2.5% agar; pelleting; cooling in ice water to harden the agar; removing the tissue/agar block from the tube; infiltrating and/or embedding the block in paraffin; and/or cutting up to 50 serial permanent sections.

J. Immunoelectron Microscopy

The antibodies of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with electron microscopy to identify intracellular tissue components. Briefly, an electron-dense label is conjugated directly or indirectly to the antibody. Examples of electron-dense labels according to the invention are ferritin and gold. The electron-dense label absorbs electrons and can be visualized by the electron microscope.

K. Immunodetection Kits

In still further embodiments, the present invention concerns immunodetection kits for use with the immunodetection methods described above. As the antibodies are generally used to detect wild type and/or mutant proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides, the antibodies will preferably be included in the kit. However, kits including both such components may be provided. The immunodetection kits will thus comprise, in suitable container means, a first antibody that binds to a wild type and/or mutant protein, polypeptide and/or peptide, and/or optionally, an immunodetection reagent and/or further optionally, a wild type and/or mutant protein, polypeptide and/or peptide.

In preferred embodiments, monoclonal antibodies will be used. In certain embodiments, the first antibody that binds to the wild type and/or mutant protein, polypeptide and/or peptide may be pre-bound to a solid support, such as a column matrix and/or well of a microtitre plate.

The immunodetection reagents of the kit may take any one of a variety of forms, including those detectable labels that are associated with and/or linked to the given antibody. Detectable labels that are associated with and/or attached to a secondary binding ligand are also contemplated. Exemplary secondary ligands are those secondary antibodies that have binding affinity for the first antibody.

Further suitable immunodetection reagents for use in the present kits include the two-component reagent that comprises a secondary antibody that has binding affinity for the first antibody, along with a third antibody that has binding affinity for the second antibody, the third antibody being linked to a detectable label. As noted above, a number of exemplary labels are known in the art and/or all such labels may be employed in connection with the present invention.

The kits may further comprise a suitably aliquoted composition of the wild type and/or mutant protein, polypeptide and/or polypeptide, whether labeled and/or unlabeled, as may be used to prepare a standard curve for a detection assay. The kits may contain antibody-label conjugates either in fully conjugated form, in the form of intermediates, and/or as separate moieties to be conjugated by the user of the kit. The components of the kits may be packaged either in aqueous media and/or in lyophilized form.

The container means of the kits will be suitable housed and will generally include at least one vial, test tube, flask, bottle, syringe and/or other container means, into which the antibody may be placed, and/or preferably, suitably aliquoted. Where wild type and/or mutant VLPT protein, polypeptide and/or peptide, and/or a second and/or third binding ligand and/or additional component is provided, the kit will also generally contain a second, third and/or other additional container into which this ligand and/or component may be placed. The kits of the present invention will also typically include a means for containing the antibody, antigen, and/or any other reagent containers in close confinement for commercial sale. Such containers may include injection and/or blow-molded plastic containers into which the desired vials are retained.

VIII. Pharmaceutical Preparations

It is also contemplated that pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared using the novel compositions of the present invention. In such a case, the pharmaceutical composition comprises the novel active composition of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A person having ordinary skill in this art would readily be able to determine, without undue experimentation, the appropriate dosages and routes of administration of the active component of the present invention.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to molecular entities and compositions that do not produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction when administered to a subject. The preparation of an aqueous composition that contains a protein as an active ingredient is well understood in the art. Typically, such compositions are prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid prior to injection can also be prepared. The preparation can also be emulsified.

In general, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may comprise an E. chaffeensi VLPT polypeptide, polynucleotide, or antibody and/or mixtures thereof.

A protein may be formulated into a composition in a neutral or salt form. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts, include the acid addition salts (formed with the free amino groups of the protein) and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic acids such as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine and the like.

Upon formulation, solutions will be administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation and in such amount as is therapeutically effective. The formulations are easily administered in a variety of dosage forms such as injectable solutions.

For parenteral administration in an aqueous solution, for example, the solution should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. In this connection, sterile aqueous media, which can be employed, will be known to those of skill in the art in light of present disclosure. For example, one dosage could be dissolved in 1 mL of isotonic NaCl solution and either added to 1000 mL of hypodermoclysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion, (see for example, “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” 15th Edition, pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). Some variation in dosage will necessarily occur depending on the condition of the subject being treated. The person responsible for administration will, in any event, determine the appropriate dose for the individual subject.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise an effective amount of one or more agents that target a polypeptide or the secretion thereof or additional agent dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The phrases “pharmaceutical,” “pharmaceutically acceptable,” or “pharmacologically acceptable” refers to molecular entities and compositions that do not produce an adverse, allergic or other untoward reaction when administered to an animal, such as, for example, a human, as appropriate. The preparation of a pharmaceutical composition that contains at least one agent that targets the polypeptide or the secretion thereof and/or additional active ingredient will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, as exemplified by Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. Mack Printing Company, 1990, incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, for animal (e.g., human) administration, it will be understood that preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety and purity standards as required by FDA Office of Biological Standards.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, surfactants, antioxidants, preservatives (e.g., antibacterial agents, antifungal agents), isotonic agents, absorption delaying agents, salts, preservatives, drugs, drug stabilizers, gels, binders, excipients, disintegration agents, lubricants, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, dyes, such like materials and combinations thereof, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. Mack Printing Company, 1990, pp. 1289-1329, incorporated herein by reference). Except insofar as any conventional carrier is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic or pharmaceutical compositions is contemplated.

The invention may comprise different types of carriers depending on whether it is to be administered in solid, liquid or aerosol form, and whether it need to be sterile for such routes of administration as injection. The present invention can be administered intravenously, intradermally, intraarterially, intraperitoneally, intralesionally, intracranially, intraarticularly, intraprostaticaly, intrapleurally, intratracheally, intranasally, intravitreally, intravaginally, intrarectally, topically, intratumorally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, subconjunctival, intravesicularlly, muco sally, intrapericardially, intraumbilically, intraocularally, orally, topically, locally, inhalation (e.g. aerosol inhalation), injection, infusion, continuous infusion, localized perfusion bathing target cells directly, via a catheter, via a lavage, in cremes, in lipid compositions (e.g., liposomes), or by other method or any combination of the forgoing as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. Mack Printing Company, 1990, incorporated herein by reference).

The actual dosage amount of a composition of the present invention administered to an animal patient can be determined by physical and physiological factors such as body weight, severity of condition, the type of disease being treated, previous or concurrent therapeutic interventions, idiopathy of the patient and on the route of administration. The practitioner responsible for administration will, in any event, determine the concentration of active ingredient(s) in a composition and appropriate dose(s) for the individual subject.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions may comprise, for example, at least about 0.1% of an active compound. In other embodiments, the an active compound may comprise between about 2% to about 75% of the weight of the unit, or between about 25% to about 60%, for example, and any range derivable therein. In other non-limiting examples, a dose may also comprise from about 1 microgram/kg/body weight, about 5 microgram/kg/body weight, about 10 microgram/kg/body weight, about 50 microgram/kg/body weight, about 100 microgram/kg/body weight, about 200 microgram/kg/body weight, about 350 microgram/kg/body weight, about 500 microgram/kg/body weight, about 1 milligram/kg/body weight, about 5 milligram/kg/body weight, about 10 milligram/kg/body weight, about 50 milligram/kg/body weight, about 100 milligram/kg/body weight, about 200 milligram/kg/body weight, about 350 milligram/kg/body weight, about 500 milligram/kg/body weight, to about 1000 mg/kg/body weight or more per administration, and any range derivable therein. In non-limiting examples of a derivable range from the numbers listed herein, a range of about 5 mg/kg/body weight to about 100 mg/kg/body weight, about 5 microgram/kg/body weight to about 500 milligram/kg/body weight, etc., can be administered, based on the numbers described above.

In any case, the composition may comprise various antioxidants to retard oxidation of one or more component. Additionally, the prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by preservatives such as various antibacterial and antifungal agents, including but not limited to parabens (e.g., methylparabens, propylparabens), chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal or combinations thereof.

The invention may be formulated into a composition in a free base, neutral or salt form. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts, include the acid addition salts, e.g., those formed with the free amino groups of a proteinaceous composition, or which are formed with inorganic acids such as for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic acids as acetic, oxalic, tartaric or mandelic acid. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium or ferric hydroxides; or such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine or procaine.

In embodiments where the composition is in a liquid form, a carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium comprising but not limited to, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, etc), lipids (e.g., triglycerides, vegetable oils, liposomes) and combinations thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin; by the maintenance of the required particle size by dispersion in carriers such as, for example liquid polyol or lipids; by the use of surfactants such as, for example hydroxypropylcellulose; or combinations thereof such methods. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, such as, for example, sugars, sodium chloride or combinations thereof.

In other embodiments, one may use eye drops, nasal solutions or sprays, aerosols or inhalants in the present invention. Such compositions are generally designed to be compatible with the target tissue type. In a non-limiting example, nasal solutions are usually aqueous solutions designed to be administered to the nasal passages in drops or sprays. Nasal solutions are prepared so that they are similar in many respects to nasal secretions, so that normal ciliary action is maintained. Thus, in preferred embodiments the aqueous nasal solutions usually are isotonic or slightly buffered to maintain a pH of about 5.5 to about 6.5. In addition, antimicrobial preservatives, similar to those used in ophthalmic preparations, drugs, or appropriate drug stabilizers, if required, may be included in the formulation. For example, various commercial nasal preparations are known and include drugs such as antibiotics or antihistamines.

In certain embodiments the composition is prepared for administration by such routes as oral ingestion. In these embodiments, the solid composition may comprise, for example, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, tablets, pills, capsules (e.g., hard or soft shelled gelatin capsules), sustained release formulations, buccal compositions, troches, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, or combinations thereof. Oral compositions may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet. Preferred carriers for oral administration comprise inert diluents, assimilable edible carriers or combinations thereof. In other aspects of the invention, the oral composition may be prepared as a syrup or elixir. A syrup or elixir, and may comprise, for example, at least one active agent, a sweetening agent, a preservative, a flavoring agent, a dye, a preservative, or combinations thereof.

In certain preferred embodiments an oral composition may comprise one or more binders, excipients, disintegration agents, lubricants, flavoring agents, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, a composition may comprise one or more of the following: a binder, such as, for example, gum tragacanth, acacia, cornstarch, gelatin or combinations thereof; an excipient, such as, for example, dicalcium phosphate, mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate or combinations thereof; a disintegrating agent, such as, for example, corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid or combinations thereof; a lubricant, such as, for example, magnesium stearate; a sweetening agent, such as, for example, sucrose, lactose, saccharin or combinations thereof; a flavoring agent, such as, for example peppermint, oil of wintergreen, cherry flavoring, orange flavoring, etc.; or combinations thereof the foregoing. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, carriers such as a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both.

Additional formulations that are suitable for other modes of administration include suppositories. Suppositories are solid dosage forms of various weights and shapes, usually medicated, for insertion into the rectum, vagina or urethra. After insertion, suppositories soften, melt or dissolve in the cavity fluids. In general, for suppositories, traditional carriers may include, for example, polyalkylene glycols, triglycerides or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, suppositories may be formed from mixtures containing, for example, the active ingredient in the range of about 0.5% to about 10%, and preferably about 1% to about 2%.

Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active compounds in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized active ingredients into a sterile vehicle that contains the basic dispersion medium and/or the other ingredients. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, suspensions or emulsion, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum-drying or freeze-drying techniques which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered liquid medium thereof. The liquid medium should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic prior to injection with sufficient saline or glucose. The preparation of highly concentrated compositions for direct injection is also contemplated, where the use of DMSO as solvent is envisioned to result in extremely rapid penetration, delivering high concentrations of the active agents to a small area.

The composition must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage, and preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. It will be appreciated that endotoxin contamination should be kept minimally at a safe level, for example, less that 0.5 ng/mg protein.

In particular embodiments, prolonged absorption of an injectable composition can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, such as, for example, aluminum monostearate, gelatin or combinations thereof.

IX. Exemplary Kits of the Invention

In particular embodiments of the invention, there is a kit housed in a suitable container. The kit may be suitable for diagnosis, treatment, and/or protection for an individual from Ehrlichia, such as Ehrlichia chaffeensis. In particular embodiments, the kit comprises in a suitable container an agent that targets an E. chaffeensis VLPT antigen. The agent may be an antibody, a small molecule, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, a peptide, or a mixture thereof. The agent may be provided in the kit in a suitable form, such as sterile, lyophilized, or both, for example. In particular embodiments, the kit comprises an antibody against one or more of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, or SEQ ID NO:15; and/or related proteins thereof. Other E. chaffeensis VLPT-related immunogenic-related compositions (including polypeptides, peptides, or antibodies) not specifically presented herein may also be included.

The kit may further comprise one or more apparatuses for delivery of a composition to an individual in need thereof. The apparatuses may include a syringe, eye dropper, needle, biopsy tool, scoopula, catheter, and so forth, for example.

In embodiments wherein the kit is employed for a diagnostic purpose, the kit may further provide one or more detection compositions and/or apparatuses for identifying an E. chaffeensis VLPT antigen. Such an embodiment may employ a detectable label, such as for an antibody, for example, and the label may be fluorescent, radioactive, chemiluminescent, or colorimetric, for example.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow represent techniques discovered by the inventors to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1 Exemplary Materials and Methods

Culture and purification of ehrlichiae. E. canis (Jake strain) and E. chaffeensis (Arkansas strain) were propogated as previously described (McBride et al., 2001). Ehrlichiae were purified by size exclusion chromatography over Sephacryl S-1000 (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.) as previously described (Rikihisa et al., 1992). The fractions containing bacteria were frozen and utilized as antigen and DNA sources.

Preparation of E. chaffeensis genomic DNA and antigen. Genomic DNA and antigen were purified from E. chaffeensis (Arkansas strain) as previously described (McBride et al., 1996).

PCR amplification of the E. chaffeensis VLPT gene fragments. Oligonucleotide primers for the amplification of the E. chaffeensis VLPT gene fragments were designed manually or by using Primer Select (Lasergene v5.08, DNAStar, Madison, Wis.) according to the sequence in GenBank (accession number AF121232) and synthesized (Sigma-Genosys, Woodlands, Tex.) (Table 2). Seven gene fragments corresponding to the four single TRs (VLPT-R4, VLPT-R3, VLPT-R2, and VLPT-R1), the C-terminus (VLPT-C), the combination of repeats R3 and R2 (VLPT-R32), and the nearly full-length VLPT (VLPT-R4321-C) containing multiple repeats (R4, R3, R2, and R1) and C-terminus of E. chaffeensis VLPT gene were amplified using a PCR HotMaster Mix (Eppendorf, Westbury, N.Y.) and E. chaffeensis (Arkansas strain) genomic DNA as the template (Tables 2 and 3). The thermal cycling profile was: 95° C. for 4 min, 35 cycles of 94° C. for 30 s, annealing temperature (3° C. less than the lowest primer T_(m)) for 30 s, and 72° C. for the appropriate extension time (30 s/500 base pairs) followed by a 72° C. extension for 7 min and a 4° C. hold.

Expression and purification of the recombinant E. chaffeensis VLPT proteins. The amplified PCR products were cloned directly into the pBAD/Thio-TOPO (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) or pTriEx-6 3C/LIC expression vector (Novagen, Madison, Wis.). Escherichia coli cells (TOP10; Invitrogen) were transformed with the plasmid containing the E. chaffeensis VLPT gene fragments, and positive transformants were screened by PCR for the presence of the insert and proper orientation, and were sequenced with an ABI Prism 377XL DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) at the University of Texas Medical Branch Protein Chemistry Core Laboratory. Recombinant protein expression was performed for 4 h after induction with 0.2% arabinose (pBAD/Thio-TOPO) or 0.5 mM isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG; pTriEx-6 3C/LIC). Recombinant proteins were purified under native conditions using HisSelect® columns (for pBAD/Thio-TOPO; Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) or Strep•Tactin® Superflow columns (for pTriEx-6 3C/LIC; Novagen) and quantitated with the BCA protein assay (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) according to the manufacturers' instructions.

E. chaffeensis VLPT synthetic peptides. Five synthetic peptides corresponding to the N-terminal fragment (VLPT-N; 17 amino acids) and four individual TR units (R4, R3, R2, and R1; 30 amino acids each) of E. chaffeensis VLPT protein as well as seven overlapping peptides corresponding to the different regions of R3 (R3-1 to R3-7) and a 20-amino-acid N-terminal peptide of R4 (R4-N) were synthesized (Bio-Synthesis, Lewisville, Tex.) (Table 3). The lyophilized powder was resuspended in molecular biology grade water (1 mg/ml).

TABLE 2 E chaffeensis (Arkansas) genomic coding sequence and protein sequence; both available under GenBank ® Accession AF121232, incorporated by reference herein Sequence SEQ ID NO: MSQFSEDNMGNIQMPFDSDSHEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLESDLQQSSNSDLHGSFSVELF  1 DPFKEAVQLGNDLQQSSDSDLHGSFSVELFDPSKEEVQLESDLQQSSNSDLHESSFVEL PGPSKEEVQFEDDAKNVVYGQDHVSLSELGLLLGGVFSTMNYLSGYTPYYYHHYCCYNP YYYFDYVTPDYCHHCSESSLE tttatatttatatatgattaatatataatgataatggtatgtggttataactgcttatt 16 agttgatcatgtacctgtgtgttatgttaaatagggtataaatatgtcacaattctctg aagataatatgggtaatatacaaatgccttttgattctgattcacatgagccttctcat cttgagctacctagtctttctgaagaagtgattcaattagagagtgatctacaacaatc ttctaattctgatttacacgggtctttttctgttgagttatttgatccttttaaagaag cagttcaattggggaatgatctacaacaatcttctgattctgatttacacgggtctttt tctgttgagttatttgatccttctaaagaagaagttcaattggagagtgatctacaaca atcttctaattctgatttacacgagtcttcttttgttgagttacctggtccttccaaag aagaagttcaattcgaagatgatgctaaaaatgtagtatatggacaagaccatgttagt ttatctgaattaggcttattgttaggtggtgtttttagtacaatgaattatttgtctgg ttatacaccgtattattatcatcattattgttgttataatccttattattattttgatt atgttactccagattattgtcatcactgtagtgaaagtagtttagagtaggatatttag aaatataaatggttgttgacttcacaaaaggtgtagttttatatgttttatgctgtttt atagtgttataaggatatgagttgtttttactattttt

Antisera. A convalescent anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum was derived from experimentally infected dog (no. 2251). Sera from HME patients were a kind gift from Focus Technologies (Cypress, Calif.). Rabbit anti-VLPT-R3 antiserum was generated against the synthetic E. chaffeensis VLPT-R3 KLH-conjugated peptide by a commercial vendor (Bio-Synthesis).

Gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting. Purified E. chaffeensis or E. canis whole-cell lysates or recombinant proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose, and Western immunoblotting performed as previously described (McBride et al., 2003), except that primary dog and human sera were diluted 1:100 and rabbit anti-VLPT-R3 antiserum was diluted 1:2,000.

Carbohydrate detection. Glycan detection on the recombinant protein VLPT was performed with a digoxigenin glycan detection kit (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.) as previously described (McBride et al., 2000).

ELISA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates (MaxiSorp; NUNC, Roskilde, Denmark) were coated (0.5 μg/well; 50 μl) with recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). Proteins and peptides were adsorbed to the ELISA plates overnight at 4° C. with gentle agitation, subsequently washed thrice with 200 μl Tris-buffered saline containing 0.2% TWEEN 20 (TBST) and blocked with 100 μl 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in TBST for 1 h at room temperature with agitation, and washed again. Convalescent anti-E. chaffeensis dog or human sera diluted (1:100) in 3% BSA-TBST were added to each well (50 μl) and incubated at room temperature for 1 h with gentle agitation. The plates were washed four times, and 50 μl alkaline phosphatase-labeled goat anti-dog or human IgG (H+L) secondary antibody (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md.) diluted (1:5,000) in 3% BSA-TBST was added and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. The plates were washed four times, and substrate (100 μl, BluePhos; Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories) was added to each well. The plates were incubated for 30 min in the dark with agitation, and color development was read on a microplate reader (VersaMax; Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) at A₆₅₀, and data were analyzed by SoftmaxPro v4.0 (Molecular Devices). Optical density (OD) readings represent the means for three wells (±standard deviations) with the OD of the buffer-only wells subtracted.

Immunoelectron microscopy. Immunogold electron microscopy was performed on E. chaffeensis-infected DH82 cells as previously described (McBride et al. 2005), except that primary rabbit anti-VLPT-R3 peptide serum was diluted 1:10,000. Uninfected DH82 cells were used as a negative control.

Mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer (MS) (Voyager-DE STR; Applied Biosystems) at the University of Texas Medical Branch Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory.

Analysis of secreted VLPT protein. E. chaffeensis-infected DH82 cell culture supernatants (1 ml) were collected everyday without disturbing the cell monolayer and centrifuged at high speed (10,000×g for 5 min) to pellet cells and bacteria. Supernatants were subsequently concentrated 10-fold (Centricon ultra centrifugal filter, 10-kDa cutoff; Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) for gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting using anti-VLPT-R3 specific polyclonal antibody.

Sequence analysis. The E. chaffeensis VLPT was evaluated for potential O-linked glycosylation and phosphorylation with the computational algorithms of the YinOYang v1.2 program by Julenius et al., 2005, and and NetPhos v2.0 program by Blom et al., 1999. Potential signal sequence or non-classical secretion was identified with the computational algorithms of the SignalP 3.0 and SecretomeP 2.0 programs by Bendtsen et al., 2004, trained on gram-negative bacteria. Nucleic acid and amino acid alignments were performed with MegAlign (Lasergene v5.08, DNAStar). E. chaffeensis VLPT epitopes were examined for homology to other Ehrlichia spp. proteins (including VLPT orthologs) using the protein-protein Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST).

TABLE 3 Exemplary E. chaffeensis VLPT synthetic polypeptides Peptide Sequence Amino acids SEQ ID NO: N MSQFSEDNMGNIQMPFD 17  2 R4 SDSHEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLESDLQQSSN 30  3 R3 SDLHGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQLGNDLQQSSD 30  4 R2 SDLHGSFSVELFDPSKEEVQLESDLQQSSN 30  5 R1 SDLHESSFVELPGPSKEEVQFEDDAKNVVY 30  6 R3-1 SDLHGSFSVELFDP 14  7 R3-2 SDLHGSFSVELFDPFKE 17  8 R3-3 HGSFSVELFDPFKE 14  9 R3-4 HGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQ 17 10 R3-5 HGSFSVELFDPFKEAVQLGN 20 11 R3-6 VELFDPFKEAVQLGND 16 12 R3-7 FKEAVQLGNDLQQSSD 16 13 R4-N HEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLES 20 14 C GQDHVSLSELGLLLGGVFSTMNYLSGYTPY 61 15 YYHHYCCYNPYYYFDYVTPDYCHHCSESSLE

TABLE 4 Oligonucleotide primers for amplification of the E. chaffeensis VLPT gene fragments Forward Reverse Amplicon Fragment Primer Sequence Primer Sequence Size R4 4F TCTGATTCACATGAGCCTTC 4(2)R ATTAGAAGATTGTTGTAGATCACTC  90 (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 18) R3 3(2)F TCTGATTTACACGGGTCTT 3R ATCAGAAGATTGTTGTAGATCAT  90 (SEQ ID NO: 19) (SEQ ID NO: 20) R2 3(2)F TCTGATTTACACGGGTCTT 4(2)R ATTAGAAGATTGTTGTAGATCACTC  90 (SEQ ID NO: 21) (SEQ ID NO: 22) R1 1F TCTGATTTACACGAGTCTTCT 1R ATATACTACATTTTTAGCATCATCTTC  90 (SEQ ID NO: 23) (SEQ ID NO: 24) C CF GGACAAGACCATGTTAGTTT CR CTCTAAACTACTTTCACTACAGTG 183 (SEQ ID NO: 25) (SEQ ID NO: 26) R4321-C 4F TCTGATTCACATGAGCCTTC CR CTCTAAACTACTTTCACTACAGTG 543 (SEQ ID NO: 27) (SEQ ID NO: 28) R32 3(2)F TCTGATTTACACGGGTCTT 4(2)R ATTAGAAGATTGTTGTAGATCACTC 180 (SEQ ID NO: 29) (SEQ ID NO: 30) R32a 3F-lic CAGGGACCCGGTTCTTCTAA 2R-lic GGCACCAGAGCGTTTTAATTAGAAGAT 213 TTCTGATTTACACGG TGTTGTAGATCACTC (SEQ ID NO: 31) (SEQ ID NO: 32)

Example 2 Characterization of the E. chaffeensis VLPT Protein

E. chaffeensis VLPT protein composition and characteristics. Serine (33 residues; 16.7%), leucine (22; 11.1%), glutamate (20; 10.1%), and aspartate (17; 8.6%) were the most frequently occurring amino acids in the E. chaffeensis VLPT protein, accounting for 46.5% of the entire amino acid content (FIG. 1A). Moreover in the repeat region of VLPT protein, the occurrences of these four residues became more frequent with a composition of 20%, 12.5%, 13.3% and 10%, respectively, which accounted for 55.8% of the entire repeat region amino acid content. Four cysteine residues associated with disulfide bonds were present in the carboxyl-terminal domain of the protein, but this domain was dominated by tyrosine residues (19.7%). Due to the large proportion of strongly acidic residues glutamate and aspartate, the VLPT protein was highly acidic (pI 3.8). The N-terminal region (17 amino acids) and the largest domain, the TR region (120 amino acids), were highly acidic (pI 3.2 and 3.8, respectively), and carboxyl-terminal domain (61 amino acids) the least acidic (pI 4.7).

The TRs of VLPT were non-identical, but R3 and R2 had the highest amino acid identity (83%) and R4 and R1 had 53% and 49% identity with R3, respectively (FIG. 1B). A BLAST search with amino acid sequences from VLPT-R3 and VLPT-R4 found no homology between the VLPT repeats and other known ehrlichial proteins or proteins from organisms in closely related genera.

Identification of native VLPT protein. Western blotting identified a native protein with a molecular mass of ˜32 kDa (˜6.2 kDa larger than predicted mass of 25.8 kDa) and five less prominent proteins (22˜30 kDa) in E. chaffeensis whole-cell lysates and supernatants from E. chaffeensis-infected cells that reacted with monospecific rabbit antiserum against the synthetic VLPT-R3 peptide (FIG. 2A). Furthermore, anti-VLPT-R3 antibody did not react with E. canis whole cell lysate (FIG. 2A). A protein of similar size (˜32 kDa) in E. chaffeensis whole cell lysates and supernatants from infected cultures also reacted with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (FIG. 2B). Pre-immunization rabbit serum or dog serum controls did not recognize E. chaffeensis whole cell lysates or supernatants (data not shown).

Epitope containing regions of VLPT. To determine the major epitope-containing regions of VLPT, recombinant proteins corresponding to distinct VLPT domains (R4321-C, R32, R1, R2, R3 R4, and C; FIG. 3) were expressed. All of the recombinant VLPT proteins expressed in pBAD/Thio-TOPO exhibited molecular masses that were substantially larger by SDS-PAGE than that predicted by amino acid sequence, except for VLPT-R3 and VLPT-C. The VLPT-R32 expressed in an alternative vector pTriEx6 3C/LIC with substantially smaller N-terminal fusion protein (2.4 kDa compared to 13.1 kDa for pBAD/Thio) also exhibited an increased molecular mass (3.7 kDa larger than predicted), but smaller than that of VLPT-R32 expressed in pBAD/Thio (5.2 kDa larger than predicted). The increased molecular mass exhibited by recombinant VLPT proteins indicated the protein was posttranslationally modified; moreover, several predicted glycosylation sites were identified on VLPT by computational algorithm. However, carbohydrate was not detected on any recombinant E. chaffeensis VLPT polypeptides (data not shown). To further confirm the actual molecular mass of one recombinant VLPT protein, the mass of the two-repeat containing VLPT-R32 expressed in pTriEx6 3C/LIC was determined by MALDI-TOF. The mass of VLPT-R32 was 9,206 Da, slightly smaller than the mass (9,325 Da) predicted by the amino acid sequence (excluding the 2.4 kDa expression tag), demonstrating post translational modifications were not present.

By Western immunoblot, the large TR-containing proteins R4321-C and R32 and individual repeat units R2 and R3 reacted strongly with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum, but recombinant fragments representing the carboxy terminal domain (C) and repeat units R1 and R4 were not reactive with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (FIG. 4A). Reactivity of the VLPT (synthetic polypeptides and corresponding recombinant proteins) with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum was also examined by ELISA to identify potential conformational epitopes (FIG. 4B). VLPT-N (synthetic), VLPT-C (recombinant), or VLPT-R1 (synthetic and recombinant) polypeptides did not react with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum. Similar to results by Western immunoblotting, VLPT-R3 or R2 peptides (synthetic and recombinant) reacted strongly with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum; however, the VLPT-R3 (synthetic) was more immunoreactive than VLPT-R2 (synthetic). Conversely, the recombinant VLPT-R4, which was not immunoreactive by Western immunoblot, reacted (synthetic and recombinant) strongly with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum by ELISA, indicating that a conformational epitope was present in VLPT-R4 (FIGS. 4A and B).

Identification of major VLPT immunodeterminants. To further localize the major epitopes of E. chaffeensis VLPT protein, seven overlapping peptides (designated R3-1 to R3-7) corresponding to the different locations within VLPT-R3 were reacted with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (FIGS. 3 and 5A). Peptides R3-6 and R3-7 (C-terminal region) were not immunoreactive, but R3-2, R3-3, R3-4 and R3-5 corresponding to the N-terminal region were found to react similarly and strongly with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum by ELISA (FIG. 4B), indicating the N-terminal region 23 amino acids of VLPT-R3 contained a major antibody epitope. Peptide R3-3 (14 amino acids; HGSFSVELFDPFKE; SEQ ID NO:9) was the smallest peptide that reacted strongly with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum (FIGS. 5A and B). Peptides R3-1 and R3-6, which differed by three (C-terminal) and five amino acids (N-terminal), respectively, were not reactive (FIGS. 5A and B).

To examine and compare the immunodeterminant in VLPT-R4, a 20-amino-acid peptide (HEPSHLELPSLSEEVIQLES; SEQ ID NO:14) corresponding to the R3-5 in VLPT-R3 (FIG. 4A) was not immunoreactive with either dog serum or patient sera (data not shown), indicating that the third epitope of VLPT in R4 was molecularly distinct, and is consistent with the divergence noted in the amino acid sequences of R4 compared to R3 and R2 (FIG. 1B).

Immunoreactivity of VLPT-R3 peptides with HME patient sera. Three HME patient sera (nos. 1, 4 and 12) that had detectable E. chaffeensis antibodies by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were used to examine the immunoreactivity of VLPT-R4, R3, and R2 (synthetic and recombinant) by ELISA (FIG. 6A-C, respectively). Consistent with the immunoreactivity exhibited with anti-E. chaffeensis dog serum, VLPT-R3 and R2 also exhibited the strongest immunoreactivity with HME patient sera, and two patients (nos. 1 and 12) exhibited a strong antibody response to VLPT-R4 (FIGS. 6A-C).

The immunoreactivity of the three HME patient sera with the seven overlapping synthetic peptides (R3-1 to R3-7) from VLPT-R3 was determined by ELISA (FIGS. 6A-C). Peptides R3-4 (17 amino acids) and R3-5 (20 amino acids) which contained similar amino acid sequences (see FIG. 5A) reacted strongly and consistently with the all HME patient sera tested (FIGS. 6A-C). Comparing the overlapping peptides, the minimum peptide sequence critical for this immunodeterminant was 17 amino acids (peptide R3-5). Antibodies from HME patients and the dog experimentally infected with E. chaffeensis reacted similarly to VLPT-R3 (FIGS. 4B and 6A-C). However, antibodies in human sera were directed primarily against peptides R3-4 and R3-5 within VLPT-R3 (FIGS. 6A-C). Normal human serum did not recognize these peptides and proteins (data not shown).

The reactivity of VLPT-R3 with a larger panel of HME patient sera (14 patients) that had detectable E. chaffeensis antibodies was determined. All patient sera reacted with VLPT-R3 (synthetic) (FIG. 6D), indicating that this epitope is consistently recognized by humans and the reactivity of antibodies in patient sera with this epitope completely correlated with IFA. The normal human serum did not recognize VLPT-R3 (FIG. 6D, lane 16)

Temporal secretion of E. chaffeensis VLPT. VLPT was detected in supernatants from infected cells as early as 1 day post infection and increased in quantity through 6 days post infection (FIG. 7). The VLPT protein was not observed in uninfected DH82 cell culture supernatant.

Cellular and extracellular localization of VLPT. Several characterized ehrlichial proteins are differentially expressed on dense-cored ehrlichiae (gp120, gp36, and gp47). However, like its ortholog gp19 of E. canis, the E. chaffeensis VLPT protein was observed on the membrane of morula and surface of both reticulate and dense-cored ehrlichiae, but was also detected on the morula fibrillar matrix by immunoelectron microscopy (FIG. 8A). Anti-VLPT-R3 antibody did not react with uninfected DH82 cells (FIG. 8B).

Example 3 Significance of the Present Invention

The initial description of the E. chaffeensis VLPT gene focused on the applications of the gene for molecular diagnostics and epidemiology. Hence, the VLPT gene has been frequently utilized to differentiate isolates based on differences in the number of TRs units and sequence variation present in the gene (Sumner et al., 1999; Yabsley et al., 2003). Although a previous study demonstrated that recombinant VLPT reacted with antibodies in HME patient sera, the immunologic properties of the VLPT protein were not fully defined (Popov et al., 2000). Notably, the VLPT protein has never been conclusively identified in E. chaffeensis native whole cell lysates, and major immunoreactive proteins corresponding to its reported molecular mass of 44-kDa (double the predicted size) have never been identified. Hence, the identity of VLPT and extent of the host response directed against it have remained undetermined. Recently, it was described that the identification and characterization of a conserved, strongly acidic major immunoreactive 19-kDa protein (gp19) in E. canis that elicits an early antibody response (McBride et al., 2003). It was also concluded based on genomic and protein analysis that the E. chaffeensis VLPT protein was the ortholog of gp19. The role of E. chaffeensis VLPT protein in ehrlichial pathobiology is also unknown, and its lack of relationship with other known bacterial proteins provides no clues regarding its potential function. A remarkable feature of VLPT and E. canis gp19 is the homologous carboxy-terminal domain dominated by tyrosine, indicating that it is a functionally important conserved domain.

The discrepancy in the apparent molecular mass of the E. chaffeensis VLPT protein (Arkansas strain) observed in the invention (˜32 kDa) and that of the recombinant VLPT (˜44 kDa) reported previously was noted, and it is acknowledged that the native VLPT was never identified in a previous study. Nevertheless, the native VLPT protein (˜32 kDa) identified from the ehrlichial lysate by anti-VLPT-R3 antibody, and the mass of the recombinant VLPT protein (without fusion tag) were in agreement. Hence, the evidence generated by the invention has indicated that the mass of the VLPT (recombinant and native) is ˜32-kDa, which is larger than the predicted mass (25.7-kDa) but substantially smaller than previously reported (Sumner et al., 1999).

Four pairs (gp200s, gp120/gp140, gp47/gp36, and VLPT/gp19) of major immunoreactive protein orthologs in E. chaffeensis and E. canis have been identified. Two ortholog pairs are TR-containing proteins, and the VLPT/gp19 also appears to be similar. Although the E. canis gp19 lacks multiple repeats found in the E. chaffeensis VLPT, it has a Ser/Thr/Glu-rich patch that is similar in size and composition to that of a single serine-rich repeat unit of VLPT, and the major immunodeterminant of the gp19 was mapped to the STE-rich patch. Similarly, antibody epitopes have been identified in other serine-rich TR-containing ehrlichial protein orthologs including gp36/47 and gp120/140 (Doyle et al., 2006; Yu et al. 1996).

Except for p28/p30, all of the major immunoreactive proteins of E. chaffeensis and E. canis that have been characterized are highly acidic due to a predominance of glutamate and aspartate, but they also have a large proportion of polar amino acids, such as serine, which are present in higher frequency within TRs found in these proteins. Moreover, major antibody epitopes of these proteins have been mapped to these serine-rich acidic TRs or acidic domains (Doyle et al., 2006; McBride et al., 2003; McBride et al., 2000; Yu et al., 1997; Yu et al., 2000; Nethery et al., 2007). The amino acid composition of E. canis gp19 consisted predominately of three amino acids, serine, glutamate and aspartate. Consistent with other major immunoreactive proteins including gp19, VLPT has similar predominance of serine, glutamate and aspartate that are more pronounced in the TRs region. The high frequency of the polar and acidic amino indicates a direct relationship between the host immune response and acidic serine-rich repetitive sequences and domains.

Previously, it was reported that detection of carbohydrate on recombinant ehrlichial TR-containing proteins that exhibited larger than predicted masses similar to their native counterparts. Furthermore, VLPT has been reported to exhibit a larger than predicted mass by gel electrophoresis, a finding that was also observed in the invention with both native and recombinant VLPT proteins (Sumner et al., 1999). Thus, the possibility that glycosylation was responsible for this difference was considered. Serine and threonine residues are linkage sites for O-glycans and some of these amino acids were predicted to be glycan attachment sites on the VLPT. However, unlike other ehrlichial proteins, carbohydrate on the VLPT was not detected, and the mass (as determined by MALDI-TOF) of a recombinant two repeat containing fragment (VLPT-R32) was consistent with its predicted mass confirming that the abnormal migration was not due to post-translational modification of VLPT tandem repeats. In one embodiment, the increase in electrophoretic mobility is because VLPT is a highly acidic protein. Others have reported that highly acidic proteins such as ribonuclease U2 and caldesmon exhibit anomalous electrophoretic behavior that could be normalized after neutralization (Garcia-Ortega et al., 2005; Graceffa et al., 1992; Moussa et al., 2004). In specific embodiments of the invention, the high acidic amino acid content and low overall pI (3.8) of VLPT explains its electrophoretic behavior and contributes to the anomalous behavior of other highly acidic TR-containing ehrlichial proteins.

Three major epitope-containing regions were identified in E. chaffeensis VLPT protein in the non-identical serine-rich repeat units R2, R3 and R4, respectively, which is consistent with the location of epitopes in other ehrlichial TR-containing proteins (Doyle et al., 2006; McBride et al., 2003; McBride et al., 2000). The antibody epitope in R3, which exhibited the strongest antibody reactivity with both human sera, was localized to a 17 amino acid N-terminal region that was highly homologous with R2 (two amino acid changes). Thus, antibodies directed against R3 would likely cross react with R2. Therefore, the R3 epitope appears to be the primary immunodeterminant for both human and dog anti-VLPT antibodies. Interestingly, the R3 immunodeterminant appeared to be highly dependent on three terminal amino acids (AVQ) in peptide R3-4 when detected by human antibodies, whereas the antibodies reactive in canine serum appeared to be more dependent on three amino acids (FKE) directly upstream. Thus, R3-3 was the minimum epitope sequence (14 amino acids) for recognition by dog antibodies, and R3-4 (17 amino acids) containing three additional C-terminal amino acids is essential for antibody reactivity with human sera. Interestingly, R4 was the most divergent repeat, and was not reactive by Western immunoblotting but was reactive with antibody in ELISA. This indicates that a distinct conformational epitope was present in R4. Conformational epitopes have been described in Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species (Chen et al., 1996; Munodzana et al., 1998). Thus, R4 contributes to the immunoreactivity of VLPT independent of R3. The smaller R4 peptide (20 amino acids) that corresponds to R3-5 in VLPT-R3 was not immunoreactive; however, the full repeat (30 amino acids) was immunoreactive, which supports the conclusion that this epitope is discontinuous and requires the entire repeat sequence to create the epitope.

The epitopes identified in VLPT repeat units appear to be species-specific, as the anti-VLPT-R3 antibody did not cross-react with closely related E. canis and amino acid homology was not observed between VLPT-R2, R3 and R4, and proteins of other Ehrlichia species or closely related pathogens. This is consistent with the previously reported antibody epitope identified in E. canis gp19 (VLPT ortholog), which was also species-specific (McBride et al., 2006). Furthermore, similar species-specific epitopes in E. chaffeensis and E. canis protein orthologs including the gp120/gp140, gp47/gp36, gp200s have been identified (Doyle et al., 2006; McBride et al., 2003; McBride et al., 2000; Yu et al., 1997; Yu et al, 2000). The current findings further support the embodiment that antibodies generated against E. chaffeensis are directed primarily at species-specific epitopes. Hence, antibodies generated against one Ehrlichia species may provide little or no protection against a closely related pathogen, such as E. canis in this case. However, species-specific antigens such as VLPT are excellent candidates for the development of sensitive species-specific immunodiagnostics and are useful for epidemiologic studies.

There is evidence that ehrlichial TR-containing proteins such as E. chaffeensis gp120 and gp47 are secreted (Doyle et al., 2006; Popov et al., 2000). In the invention, it is demonstrated that the VLPT protein is also secreted. The mechanism of secretion appears to be sec-independent because VLPT does not have an amino-terminal signal sequence. VLPT was predicted by SecretomeP 2.0 to be secreted by a nonclassical and leaderless secretion system; therefore, secretion of VLPT and other TR-containing proteins may occur by a similar mechanism, including E. chaffeensis gp120 and gp47, which also lack an N-terminal signal sequence, but are found outside the bacterium in the morula and in the infected cell culture supernatants. Genes encoding type IV secretion system components have been reported in both Ehrlichia and Anaplasma (Dunning Hotopp et al., 2006; Ohashi et al., 2002), and AnkA of A. phagocytophilum appears to be secreted by this system (Lin et al., 2007). However, the VLPT does not appear to contain a type IV effector protein consensus sequence and could be a substrate of other secretion systems (sec-dependent and sec-independent) that have been identified in Ehrlichia species (Dunning Hotopp et al., 2006).

Distinct from the differential expression (on the dense-cored ehrlichiae) of E. chaffeensis gp120 and gp47, but consistent with the localization of E. canis gp19 (Doyle et al., 2006; Popov et al., 2000), E. chaffeensis VLPT protein was detected on both morphologic forms, reticulate and dense-cored ehrlichiae, but was primarily found extracellularly associated with the morula fibrils and morula membrane. Thus, the VLPT protein does not appear to be a major surface protein and is not associated specifically with the infectious form of ehrlichiae (dense cored). The secretion of VLPT into the morula space and membrane indicates a potentially important role in morula maintenance or as a virulence factor.

The majority of the characterized major immunoreactive proteins of Ehrlichia species are acidic TR-containing proteins that have common amino acid usage and elicit strong humoral immune responses directed at TRs. The host immune response appears to be primarily directed at epitopes within TRs, which indicates that all of these proteins interact similarly with the host immune response. In specific embodiments of the invention, antibodies directed at specific epitopes in TR-proteins are protective.

Example 4 Vaccines of the Invention

In particular aspects of the invention, the immunogenic compositions of the present invention are suitable as a vaccine, such as a subunit vaccine. In other aspects of the invention, the immunogenic compositions are referred to as immunoprotective.

Specifically, one or more compositions of the invention, such as those comprising an E. chaffeensis VLPT epitope, for example, are administered to a mammal, such as a human, canine, bovine, or equine animal, for example. Serum from the mammal may be assayed for an immune response, such as by detecting antibodies in the serum. The mammal is then subjected to subsequent challenge with the pathogenic organism, such as the E. canis organism, or another appropriate composition, and immunoprotection is determined. Controls may be employed, such as immunization with, for example, a mutated epitope or an epitope that does not comprise a carbohydrate moiety. Complete or partial protection against the subsequent challenge demonstrates the immunoprotective nature of the composition, and the composition is a vaccine. Partial protection may be defined as protecting from developing or delaying from developing at least one symptom of the infection or protecting from at least one symptom becoming worse.

REFERENCES

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,013 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,914 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,155 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,128 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,245 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,833 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,184 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,237 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,085 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,681 -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,976 -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101 -   PCT/US07/75343

PUBLICATIONS

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Hyg.     54:405-412. -   Collins, N. E., J. Liebenberg, E. P. de Villiers, K. A. Brayton, E.     Louw, A. Pretorius, F. E. Faber, H. H. van, A. Josemans, K. M.     van, H. C. Steyn, M. F. van Strijp, E. Zweygarth, F. Jongejan, J. C.     Maillard, D. Berthier, M. Botha, F. Joubert, C. H. Corton, N. R.     Thomson, M. T. Allsopp, and B. A. Allsopp. 2005. The genome of the     heartwater agent Ehrlichia ruminantium contains multiple tandem     repeats of actively variable copy number. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.     U.S.A 102:838-843. -   Doyle, C. K., A. M. Cardenas, D. M. Aguiar, M. B. Labruna, L. M.     Ndip, X. J. Yu, and McBride J. W. 2006. Molecular characterization     of E. canis gp36 and E. chaffeensis gp47 tandem repeats among     different geographic locations. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1063. -   Doyle, C. K., K. A. Nethery, V. L. Popov, and J. W. McBride. 2006.     Differentially expressed and secreted major immunoreactive protein     orthologs of Ehrlichia canis and E. chaffeensis elicit early     antibody responses to epitopes on glycosylated tandem repeats.     Infect. Immun. 74:711-720. -   Dunning Hotopp, J. C., M. Lin, R. Madupu, J. Crabtree, S. V.     Angiuoli, J. Eisen, R. Seshadri, Q. Ren, M. Wu, T. R. Utterback, S.     Smith, M. Lewis, H. Khouri, C. Zhang, H. Niu, Q. Lin, N. Ohashi, N.     Zhi, W. Nelson, L. M. Brinkac, R. J. Dodson, M. J. Rosovitz, J.     Sundaram, S. C. Daugherty, T. Davidsen, A. S. Durkin, M.     Gwinn, D. H. Haft, J. D. Selengut, S. A. Sullivan, N. Zafar, L.     Zhou, F. Benahmed, H. Forberger, R. Halpin, S. Mulligan, J.     Robinson, O. White, Y. Rikihisa, and H. Tettelin. 2006. Comparative     genomics of emerging human ehrlichiosis agents. PLoS Genet. 2:e21. -   Frutos, R., A. Viari, C. Ferraz, A. Morgat, S. Eychenie, Y.     Kandassamy, I. Chantal, A. Bensaid, E. Coissac, N. Vachiery, J.     Demaille, and D. Martinez. 2006. Comparative genomic analysis of     three strains of Ehrlichia ruminantium reveals an active process of     genome size plasticity. J Bacteriol 188:2533-2542. -   Garcia-Ortega, L., l. R. De, V, A. Martinez-Ruiz, M. Onaderra, J.     Lacadena, P. A. Martinez del, and J. G. Gavilanes. 2005. Anomalous     electrophoretic behavior of a very acidic protein: ribonuclease U2.     Electrophoresis 26:3407-3413. -   Graceffa, P., A. Jancso, and K. Mabuchi. 1992. Modification of     acidic residues normalizes sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel     electrophoresis of caldesmon and other proteins that migrate     anomalously. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 297:46-51. -   Johannesson et al., 1999, “Bicyclic tripeptide mimetics with reverse     turn inducing properties.” J. Med. Chem. 42:601-608. -   Julenius, K., A. Molgaard, R. Gupta, and S. Brunak. 2005.     Prediction, conservation analysis, and structural characterization     of mammalian mucin-type O-glycosylation sites. Glycobiology     15:153-164. -   Lin, M., A. den Dulk-Ras, P. J. Hooykaas, and Y. Rikihisa. 2007.     Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA secreted by type IV secretion system     is tyrosine phosphorylated by Abl-1 to facilitate infection. Cell     Microbiol. 9:2644-2657. -   Mavromatis, K., C. K. Doyle, A. Lykidis, N. Ivanova, M. P.     Francino, P. Chain, M. Shin, S. Malfatti, F. Larimer, A.     Copeland, J. C. Detter, M. Land, P. M. Richardson, X. J. Yu, D. H.     Walker, J. W. McBride, and N. C. Kyrpides. 2006. The genome of the     obligately intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia canis reveals themes of     complex membrane structure and immune evasion strategies. J     Bacteriol 188:4015-4023. -   McBride J. W., C. K. Doyle, X. F. Zhang, A. M. Cardenas, V. L.     Popov, K. A. Nethery, and M. E. Woods. 2006. Ehrlichia canis 19-kDa     glycoprotein ortholog of E. chaffeensis variable length PCR target     contains a single serine-rich epitope defined by a carbohydrate     immunodetermiant. Infect.Immun. -   McBride J W, R. E. Corstvet, S. D. Gaunt, C. Boudreaux, T. Guedry,     and D. H. Walker. 2003. Kinetics of antibody response to Ehrlichia     canis immunoreactive proteins. Infect.Immun. 71:2516-2524. -   McBride, J. W., J. E. Comer, and D. H. Walker. 2003. Novel     immunoreactive glycoprotein orthologs of Ehrlichia spp. Ann. N. Y.     Acad. Sci. 990:678-684. -   McBride, J. W., L. M. Ndip, V. L. Popov, and D. H. Walker. 2002.     Identification and functional analysis of an immunoreactive     DsbA-like thio-disulfide oxidoreductase of Ehrlichia spp. Infect.     Immun. 70:2700-2703. -   McBride, J. W., R. E. Corstvet, E. B. Breitschwerdt, and D. H.     Walker. 2001. Immunodiagnosis of Ehrlichia canis infection with     recombinant proteins. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39:315-322. -   McBride, J. W., X. J. Yu, and D. H. Walker. 1999. Molecular cloning     of the gene for a conserved major immunoreactive 28-kilodalton     protein of Ehrlichia canis: a potential serodiagnostic antigen.     Clin. Diag. Lab. Immunol. 6:392-399. -   McBride, J. W., X. J. Yu, and D. H. Walker. 2000. Glycosylation of     homologous immunodominant proteins of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E.     canis. Infect. Immun. 68:13-18. -   McBride, J. W., X. Yu, and D. H. Walker. 2000. A conserved,     transcriptionally active p28 multigene locus of Ehrlichia canis.     Gene 254:245-252. -   Munodzana, D., T. F. McElwain, D. P. Knowles, and G. H.     Palmer. 1998. Conformational dependence of Anaplasma marginale major     surface protein 5 surface-exposed B-cell epitopes. Infection &     Immunity 66:2619-2624. -   Nethery, K. A., C. K. Doyle, B. L. Elsom, N. K. Herzog, V. L. Popov,     and J. W. McBride. 2005 Ankyrin repeat containing immunoreactive 200     kD glycoprotein (gp200) orthologs of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and     Ehrlichia canis are translocated to the nuclei of infected     monocytes, p. O-60. In 4th International Conference on Rickettsiae     and Rickettsial Diseases, Longrono, Spain. -   Nethery, K. A., C. K. Doyle, X. Zhang, and J. W. McBride. 2007.     Ehrlichia canis gp200 contains dominant species-specific antibody     epitopes in terminal acidic domains. Infect. Immun. 75:4900-4908. -   Ohashi, N., N. Zhi, Q. Lin, and Y. Rikihisa. 2002. Characterization     and transcriptional analysis of gene clusters for a type IV     secretion machinery in human granulocytic and monocytic ehrlichiosis     agents. Infect. Immun. 70:2128-2138. -   Paddock, C. D. and J. E. Childs. 2003. Ehrlichia chaffeensis: a     prototypical emerging pathogen. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 16:37-64. -   Popov, V. L., X. J. Yu, and D. H. Walker. 2000. The 120-kDa outer     membrane protein of Ehrlichia chaffeensis: preferential expression     on dense-core cells and gene expression in Escherichia coli     associated with attachment and entry. Microb. Path. 28:71-80. -   Rikihisa, Y., S. A. Ewing, J. C. Fox, A. G. Siregar, F. H. Pasaribu,     and M. B. Malole. 1992. Analyses of Ehrlichia canis and a canine     granulocytic Ehrlichia infection. J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:143-148. -   Singu, V., H. Liu, C. Cheng, and R. R. Ganta. 2005. Ehrlichia     chaffeensis expresses macrophage- and tick cell-specific     28-kilodalton outer membrane proteins. Infect. Immun. 73:79-87. -   Sumner, J. W., J. E. Childs, and C. D. Paddock. 1999. Molecular     cloning and characterization of the Ehrlichia chaffeensis     variable-length PCR target: an antigen-expressing gene that exhibits     interstrain variation. J. Clin. 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Zhang, and D. H. Walker. 2000.     Characterization of the complete transcriptionally active Ehrlichia     chaffeensis 28 kDa outer membrane protein multigene family. Gene     248:59-68. -   Yu, X. J., P. A. Crocquet-Valdes, L. C. Cullman, V. L. Popov,     and D. H. Walker. 1999. Comparison of Ehrlichia chaffeensis     recombinant proteins for serologic diagnosis of human mono     cytotropic ehrlichiosis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37:2568-2575. -   Yu, X. J., P. Crocquet-Valdes, and D. H. Walker. 1997. Cloning and     sequencing of the gene for a 120-kDa immunodominant protein of     Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Gene 184:149-154. -   Yu, X. J., P. Crocquet-Valdes, L. C. Cullman, and D. H.     Walker. 1996. The recombinant 120-kilodalton protein of Ehrlichia     chaffeensis, a potential diagnostic tool. J. Clin. Microbiol.     34:2853-2855. -   Yu, X., J. F. Piesman, J. G. Olson, and D. H. Walker. 1997. 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Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of detecting an anti-E. chaffeensis antibody in an individual, comprising the step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for the presence of an antibody that immunologically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; or SEQ ID NO: 11, or an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; or SEQ ID NO: 11, wherein the polypeptide is no more than 50 amino acids in length and the assaying comprises contacting the sample with the polypeptide.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody immunologically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, or the amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical thereto.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is immobilized on a solid support.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the solid support is a column matrix, a well of a microtiter plate, a dot blot membrane, or a Western blot membrane.
 11. A method of detecting an anti-E. chaffeensis antibody in an individual comprising the step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for the presence of an antibody that immunologically binds to an isolated polypeptide consisting of one or more of the amino acid sequences selected from SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; or SEQ ID NO: 11, or an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; or SEQ ID NO: 11, wherein the assaying comprises contacting the sample with the polypeptide.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises: (a) contacting the polypeptide with the biological sample under conditions effective to allow the formation of a polypeptide-antibody complex and (b) detecting the polypeptide-antibody complex.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the method is a microtiter plate assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunoradiometric assay, fluoroimmunoassay, chemiluminescent assay, bioluminescent assay, paramagnetic assay, or a Western blot.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises determining the amount of the antibody that immunologically binds to the polypeptide.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the polypeptide is immobilized on a solid support.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the solid support is a column matrix, a well of a microtiter plate, a dot blot membrane, or a Western blot membrane.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the individual is a mammal.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the individual is a canine. 